Trump opens door to 600,000 Chinese students amid Beijing trade talks

On August 25, 2025, Trump announced admitting 600,000 Chinese students to U.S. universities, reversing prior visa restrictions. “We’re going to allow their students to come in. It’s very important, 600,000 students,” Trump told reporters, tying the move to U.S.-China trade talks. Currently, 270,000 Chinese students study in the U.S.

The decision follows May’s visa revocation policy by Secretary of State Marco Rubio targeting Communist Party-linked students. Trump’s shift, ahead of a potential Xi Jinping meeting, raises concerns about national security and university resource strain, potentially prioritizing foreign students over native American applicants amid ongoing tariff negotiations.