Two of President Donald Trump’s supporters in Congress told the Washington Examiner that they have renewed calls to reverse his economic deal with Beijing to take 600,000 Chinese students before it takes effect, as it presents a national security threat.
“We should proceed with caution when dealing with our top foreign adversary. Over the past year, students who hate America have been exposed on our college campuses — proving time and time again that studying in America is a privilege, not a right,” Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) told the Washington Examiner.
“Before making any deals, we should establish guardrails to ensure America is being put first and we are not bringing individuals here who have ulterior motives,” the freshman representative added.
CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HAVE THREATENED NATIONAL SECURITY, BOOSTED CHINA’S ECONOMY
A senior member of the Freedom Caucus told the Washington Examiner that the deal is completely immoral, since it diminishes the American dream, creates a dependency on foreign money, and jeopardizes the security of our national assets.
“We don’t want Communist Chinese money funding and influencing our schools. The [Chinese Communist Party] approves every single one of these students and their visas. They’re here to steal our technology, research, and intellectual property,” she said.
“Our universities should never be dependent on Chinese tuition dollars or foreign investment to survive. They should be focused on educating American students and protecting American innovation, not selling out to Beijing,” the representative said.
The representative also said the deal would steal opportunities from American students, who already enter an oversaturated education system and job market.
“American kids are being left behind. Rising costs, limited seats, and foreign influence mean fewer opportunities for hardworking young Americans to pursue higher education,” the longtime member of the House Freedom Caucus continued.
The Freedom Caucus members are not the only elected officials to speak out against the deal. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who endorsed Trump on the campaign trail, previously told Florida Politics that this deal is a detriment to aspiring American workers.
“Why would we be importing foreign workers when we have our own people that we need to take care of?” DeSantis asked.
Influential policy experts have been alarmed by the deal as well.
Michael Sobolik of the Hudson Institute told the College Fix the deal “exploits our open education system to censor Chinese nationals on U.S. soil,” adding that “policymakers shouldn’t continue a status quo that favors our enemy and leaves our universities exposed to espionage.”
Ian Oxnevad from the National Association of Scholars had similar remarks, adding that the deal will “effectively hand off scientific expertise to Beijing at America’s expense.”
According to Oxnevad, this deal will only worsen the situation, as Chinese nationals already suppress “dissident voices” and conduct “espionage both illicitly and through the guise of ‘fundamental research.”
EDITORIAL: REVOKE CHINESE STUDENT VISAS, DON’T DOUBLE THEM
As stated by the policy experts and elected officials, the answer is clear: Trump must reverse the deal. Bringing in Beijing-vetted spies to take over America’s universities will exert radical influence over America’s next generation and trample this country’s ownership of its own intellectual property.
Trump’s deal betrays the America First agenda by offering our enemies opportunities to jeopardize America’s national security and reap the benefits of a society made to reward hardworking Americans.