Overview

• Trump announced the plan at the White House during remarks before a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, linking the offer to ongoing trade negotiations with China and floating steep tariffs on Chinese-made magnets.
• The pledge marks a sharp reversal from earlier measures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s vow to aggressively revoke visas for certain Chinese students and tighter screening rules introduced in May and June.
• Universities, consular posts, and immigration agencies have received no guidance on admissions windows or screening changes, leaving operational and legal uncertainties unresolved.
• Conservative allies erupted in criticism, with figures such as Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Fox News host Laura Ingraham objecting as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the move as economically protective for lower-tier colleges.
• Beijing’s response included an embassy advisory warning Chinese students about reported questioning and device checks at Houston’s airport, even as Trump said he seeks better relations and a possible meeting with Xi Jinping.