President Donald Trump suggested that over 500,000 Chinese students attending U.S. universities is “good for our country” after finalizing a major trade deal with China this week. However, the president also acknowledged potential national security issues with regard to large numbers of Chinese students in the United States, warning that the country has to “watch students.”
Following the president’s announcement that his administration had finalized a trade deal with China and that Chinese students would continue to be allowed to attend universities in the United States, Daily Caller correspondent Reagan Reese asked Trump if he was still concerned about national security issues related to Chinese students in the U.S.
“Look, I’ve always been in favor of students coming in from other countries,” Trump told reporters. “That includes China. And we have 500,000 Chinese students coming in. I’ve always been in favor of it.”
READ MORE: Chinese nationals tried smuggling ‘dangerous’ pathogen into US, officials say
“Does it mean that you have to watch people? Yeah, you have to watch students, but you have to watch other people also. I’ve always been strongly in favor of it. I think it’s a great thing,” Trump added. “It’s good for our schools, I think it’s good for our country. I’m also in favor of having them stay. I’ve been in favor of letting them stay.”
In a Wednesday statement on Truth Social, the 47th president announced that his administration’s deal with China was “done” following trade negotiations with Chinese officials that came after both countries implemented massive tariffs earlier this year.
In his all-caps statement, Trump wrote, “Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi and me. Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China. Likewise, we will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities (which has always been good with me!).”
“We are getting a total of 55% tariffs, China is getting 10%, Trump added. “Relationship is excellent! Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
