The US-China Education Trust (USCET) has championed the role of educational exchange in building mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and China. From the earliest days of normalized relations, student and scholar exchanges have served as a cornerstone of bilateral engagement, fostering the kind of person-to-person connections that promote peace and reduce conflict. Our Chinese Students in America survey report illustrates the value of these exchanges in strengthening the United States.
USCET is troubled by the May 29 statement from the State Department announcing new visa policies targeting students from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong. These policies risk reversing decades of progress, threatening not only individual opportunities but the broader foundation of U.S.-China relations at a time when communication, cultural understanding, and educational dialogue are more critical than ever. Beyond undermining core American values of fairness and openness, these measures pose significant risks to U.S. economic competitiveness, soft power, and long-term diplomatic stability—issues we explore in further detail below.
Chilling effect
This overly broad approach fails to distinguish between individuals who pose genuine risks and those simply seeking educational opportunities. USCET believes the policy’s vaguely defined criteria will undoubtedly negatively impact legitimate students who pose no security concerns and discourage countless more qualified students from even considering the United States. This uncertainty creates a chilling effect that extends far beyond those directly targeted.
Discriminatory
Nationality-based policies contradict American principles of judging individuals by their actions, not their nation of origin. Blanket restrictions based on citizenship create a dangerous precedent that undermines the principle of equal treatment under law, targets Chinese and Chinese American communities, and risks legitimizing similar discriminatory practices against other nationalities. This policy also hands the PRC a propaganda victory by portraying America as xenophobic and unwelcoming, which undermines US soft power.
Economic impact
Education remains the United States’ single largest service export to China, with spending by Chinese students reaching $14.4 billion USD in 2023 and creating 143,000 US jobs according to the US-China Business Council’s 2025 Export Report. International students contribute over $40 billion annually to the U.S. economy and fill critical workforce gaps. USCET firmly believes that restricting a key talent and economic pipeline deprives American employers and institutions of top global talent.
Value of education amid competition
Chinese students who study in America are exposed to American culture and values at a crucial age and often become lifelong advocates for these principles. We stand firm in our belief that this depth of understanding and people-to-people connections form a ballast in the bilateral relationship that reduces the likelihood of conflict and provides channels for dialogue.
Educational exchange already at critical lows
Chinese student enrollment in the U.S. has already declined from nearly 300,000 in 2019 to 277,000 in 2024, according to IIE Open Doors data, while American students in China plummeted from 11,000 to just 1,000 over the same period. Additional visa restrictions will accelerate this trend. USCET believes this will create a dangerous knowledge gap: the next generation of experts, diplomats, and business leaders will lack first-hand exposure which is essential for navigating the complex bilateral relationship and preventing misunderstandings from escalating into conflicts.
The US-China Education Trust (USCET) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to advancing US-China relations through education and exchange for next generation leaders. Founded in 1998, USCET brings together students, scholars, and policymakers to deepen US knowledge of China, strengthen Chinese understanding of the United States, and center the voices of individuals who make up the bilateral relationship.
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