President Trump defended his decision to permit 600,000 Chinese students to enter the United States, despite facing criticism from some supporters who argue this contradicts his “America first” policy. They believe this move lessens the impact of his previously strict visa policies.

In an interview with the Daily Caller published on Sunday, Trump stated that China is currently contributing “a lot of money” to the U.S., and he asserted that allowing Chinese students to study at American universities is the “right thing to do.”

“I have a very good relationship with President Xi. It’s quite insulting to a country when you declare that you won’t accept their students,” Trump said, responding to whether his recent statements were part of negotiation tactics or if he genuinely believes this benefits the U.S.

“You know, I get along with China,” Trump added. “China’s paying us a lot of money right now. They’re paying us hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Amid a meeting with the South Korean president this week, Trump emphasized the significance of his relationship with China, declaring to reporters, “We’re going to allow their students to come in. We’re going to allow it. It’s very important 600,000 students. It’s very important.”

This statement from Trump represents a shift from earlier in the year when Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to “aggressively” revoke visas from Chinese students, particularly targeting those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying critical subjects.

The administration has generally worked to curtail student visas, not expand them, as part of the president’s broader immigration crackdown.

During the hour-long interview conducted on Friday, Trump told the Daily Caller that the 600,000 number applies “over two years” and stated he does not expect anything from Beijing in return.

“No, no, I don’t want anything in return. We’re doing well. They’re paying us hundreds of billions of dollars,” Trump said in the interview.

“They paid Biden, you know? Well, Biden left mine, you know, I did this in my first term. A lot of people don’t know. And then when COVID came, it was hard to say to Italy, which was just getting decimated, right? Italy and France and Spain, we’re going to put taxes on yourself. We’re going to charge you a nice tax or tariff,” Trump continued.

“So, no, I just think it’s, I think it’s, I think what we’re doing is the right thing to do. It’s good to get along with countries, not bad, especially, you know, nuclear-powered countries. I think it’s good to get along with countries,” he added.

It was not immediately whether Trump’s comments referred to U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump initially imposed tariffs on China during his first term, and former President Biden kept them in place when he took office.

The latest comments come amid ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and Beijing. The two sides levied huge tariffs on goods earlier this year, but brought the rates down significantly during the talks.