US President Donald Trump reiterated his support for Chinese students in America on Thursday and pledged to help them remain in the country after graduation, distancing himself from initiatives that his administration has announced to limit or block international students because of national security concerns.
“I’ve always been strongly in favour of it. I think it’s a great thing,” Trump said on Thursday, referring to Chinese nationals seeking to study in the US.
“It’s also good for our schools. It’s good for our country.”
Trump added that he was in favour of “letting them stay” and being hired by American companies.
“I’m all for making sure that people like that can go to work for all of our great companies,” he said.
If not allowed to remain in the US, he noted, such graduates and entrepreneurs would return to their countries and starting their businesses there.