• Trump plans to allow 600,000 Chinese students to study in the US, doubling current numbers.
• His announcement has drawn sharp backlash from MAGA supporters who see it as a betrayal.
• Concerns arise over the stringent visa policies previously enforced against Chinese students.
• Chinese embassy issues warnings about student safety amid recent incidents in Houston.
• International students, particularly from China, contribute significantly to the US economy.

US President Donald Trump announced that he will allow 600,000 Chinese students to study in American colleges, significantly increasing the current enrollment of around 270,000. "We’re going to allow their students to come in. It’s very important," he stated during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, marking a shift in the administration's previous hard-line stance on Chinese student visas, according to SCMP and India Times.

Despite Trump's intentions to strengthen US-China ties, his proposal has ignited backlash from prominent MAGA supporters, who believe this move contradicts his "America First" policies. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed concerns that admitting so many students might replace opportunities for American students and questioned their loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party, as reported by The Hill and India Times.

The Chinese embassy in the US has warned students about potential harassment and excessive inspections upon their arrival, specifically urging caution if traveling to Houston. The embassy highlighted reports of students being "unjustifiably questioned," with one being deported after extended interrogation. This advisory adds another layer of complexity to the enrollment of Chinese students, according to SCMP and India Times.

Trump's announcement comes despite a context of increasing visa restrictions on Chinese students and a broader skepticism towards international students. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had indicated plans to aggressively revoke Chinese student visas, particularly targeting those linked to sensitive fields. Trump's recent comments have led to a public debate within his political base over national security versus economic interests, according to India Times and Newsweek.

Significantly, international students, particularly from China, are vital to the US economy, contributing over $50 billion annually to tuition-dependent universities. The tension between welcoming these students and the MAGA base's push for a strict immigration policy underscores a growing ideological divide, as outlined by The Hill and Newsweek.