Trump Defends Admission of Chinese Students Amid Criticism From Allies

President Donald Trump has defended the admission of Chinese students to the United States, describing proposed restrictions as “very insulting,” even as some of his political allies criticize the policy.

In a recent interview with The Daily Caller over the weekend, Trump stated that over the next two years, more than 600,000 Chinese students will be permitted to study in the U.S. “Refusing students from a country is, in my view, very disrespectful,” he said. He emphasized that continuing educational exchanges is a key part of fostering constructive ties with Beijing, adding, “It’s always better to have good relations with other nations, especially nuclear-armed ones.”

The president’s comments follow remarks made last week during a meeting with South Korea’s president, where he announced the decision to admit more Chinese students. The statement surprised many of Trump’s supporters, as his administration has generally pursued policies aimed at reducing student visas as part of its broader immigration restrictions.

Trump, who has frequently criticized China over trade practices, has sought to balance hardline tariff negotiations with diplomatic overtures. He emphasized that China is “paying us hundreds of millions of dollars” under current trade arrangements and cited his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The move has sparked criticism from notable figures in Trump’s political base. Conservative commentator Laura Loomer argued on X that permitting Chinese students to enter the U.S. undermines the administration’s deportation efforts, claiming—without evidence—that they may pose a security risk. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) echoed these worries, stating that Chinese students “could be loyal to the CCP.”

Earlier in Trump’s administration, officials had considered measures to restrict visas for Chinese nationals with ties to the Communist Party. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously signaled support for tighter controls. The State Department has generally pursued reductions in student visas in line with the administration’s immigration policies.

The debate comes as U.S.-China trade talks continue. In August, Trump extended a pause on a 30% tariff on Chinese goods by 90 days. Beijing earlier responded to U.S. tariffs with its own 10% levy on American exports.

Source: dailymail.co.uk