Amid trade war with China, Trump says will allow 6,00,000 Chinese students into US: ‘We’re going to get along…’
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States would continue to welcome hundreds of thousands of Chinese students, even as his administration pushes Beijing on trade and tariffs. Speaking at the White House, Trump told reporters that around 6,00,000 Chinese students would be allowed into the US to pursue higher education.
His remarks, reported by Fox News, come as Washington and Beijing navigate tense trade negotiations. “I hear so many stories that we’re not going to allow their students,” Trump said. “We’re going to allow their students to come in. It’s very important, 6,00,000 students. It’s very important. But we’re going to get along with China.”
Currently, about 2,70,000 Chinese nationals are enrolled in American universities, according to Fox News.
Tariffs remain sticking point
The student visa assurance comes against the backdrop of steep trade measures. Earlier this year, the administration imposed a 145 per cent tariff on all Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate with a 125 per cent duty on US exports.
JUST IN: President Trump says the United States is going to continue to allow 600,000 Chinese students to study at American colleges.
“I hear so many stories about we’re not gonna allow their students. No, we’re gonna allow their students to come in…”
“We’re gonna allow it.… pic.twitter.com/T7QJtu7HLg
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 25, 2025
Negotiators in Geneva agreed in May to pause further levies. But Trump has continued to raise the possibility of additional penalties, suggesting a 200 per cent tariff on Chinese-made magnets, citing what he described as Beijing’s “monopoly” in that market.
“I don’t think we’re going to have a problem with that,” Trump said, noting that the US could take about a year to develop its own supply.
Trump’s latest remarks mark a shift in tone from earlier threats to restrict visas for Chinese nationals. In May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to “aggressively revoke” visas for those linked to the Communist Party or working in sensitive research fields. By June, however, Trump told reporters he had “always been in favour” of welcoming Chinese students.
I didn’t vote for more Muslims and Chinese people to be imported to my country.
Sorry but these immigrants from communist countries and Sharia shitholes where child rape is legalized don’t make America great.
Please don’t Make America China.
MAGA doesn’t want more immigrants.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) August 26, 2025
Possible Xi meeting on horizon
The president’s comments came ahead of his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Asked about a potential summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said he hoped the two could meet later this year.
“President Xi would like me to come to China,” Trump said. “As you know, we’re taking a lot of money in from China because of the tariffs and the different things. It’s a very important relationship.”
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He added, “It’s a different relationship we have with China. So much better relationship economically than what it was before with Biden.”
(With inputs from Fox News)