Trump Backtracks: Won't Reject Chinese Students
After visiting China, Trump has become noticeably more courteous in his remarks.
On the 15th, during an interview, Trump stated he would not reject Chinese students coming to study in the United States, calling them all excellent students. If the U.S. were to refuse admitting Chinese students, American university systems would collapse, and China would immediately establish universities across the country.
This statement stands in sharp contrast to Trump’s previous hardline stance toward Chinese students. During his tenure, the Trump administration pushed multiple restrictive measures targeting Chinese students, including revoking certain visas and intensifying background checks. These policies once made studying in the U.S. a difficult journey for many Chinese students.
However, these restrictions soon triggered backlash. A significant portion of funding for numerous American universities comes from tuition paid by international students, with Chinese students being a key group. Yet while restricting Chinese students, Trump simultaneously withheld federal funding to universities—partly as a political move to undermine Democrats—leading to severe financial strain and widespread complaints among institutions.
Subsequently, as the trade war with China failed to achieve its goals, Trump had to find a way out. He denied any intention to expel Chinese students, even going so far as to say, “It’s an honor for me that Chinese students can come to study in the U.S.”
Looking at his shift in behavior, it's clear Trump consistently adheres to a realist approach. The setback of last year’s trade war with China taught him that adopting a tough stance wasn’t effective—and could instead harm America’s own interests. Thus, this president who prides himself on “the art of deal-making” was forced to show respect toward China.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865260749471820/
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