Beijing has issued a sharp and blistering response after Donald Trump stunned the world by announcing that the price of one of the most sought-after U.S. visas would increase from $1,500 to a staggering $100,000. The former president, who has returned to the global stage with a series of controversial policy declarations, defended the move as “a necessary step to protect American interests.” But officials in China, where demand for the visa has been historically high, denounced the plan as an “economic attack” on families and students who have long viewed the U.S. as a destination for education and opportunity. According to The New York Times, Beijing warned that retaliatory measures could follow swiftly if the policy is implemented.
“This is a hostile act, one that weaponizes immigration policy for political purposes,” a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, quoted by Reuters. The spokesperson added that China was prepared to “reconsider cooperation” in several sectors if the United States continued “using visas as a bargaining chip.” The fiery language underscores how Trump’s move has not only enraged would-be applicants but also escalated tensions between the world’s two largest economies at a moment of fragile global stability.
BREAKING: China blasts Trump’s visa price hike — from $1,500 to $100,000 — as “an attack on ordinary people.” — @axios
The visa in question, often used by students, entrepreneurs, and wealthy families seeking entry to the U.S., has long been a cornerstone of cultural and economic exchange between China and America. Raising the price by more than 6,000 percent overnight has effectively put the visa out of reach for all but the ultra-wealthy. The Washington Post reported that Chinese social media platforms erupted in fury within hours of the announcement, with parents of students already studying abroad calling the move “heartbreaking” and “deliberately cruel.”
Students in Beijing and Shanghai told CNN that they felt abandoned by a country they had long aspired to study in. “I’ve worked for years to prepare for U.S. universities. Now my dream is gone because of money,” one 18-year-old student said. Others accused Trump of exploiting education for profit and revenge. “This is about humiliation, not security,” a Shanghai father said, describing how his daughter’s application would now be canceled.
“It’s not immigration policy. It’s extortion,” says father of Chinese student in Shanghai. — @guardian
The White House defended the move, saying the increase was meant to ensure “only the most committed applicants” pursued the visa, while also generating new revenue streams for the U.S. government. “For too long, America has been taken advantage of,” Trump said during remarks carried by Fox News. “If people want the privilege of entering the United States, they need to show they value it.” He claimed the hike would reduce fraud and exploitation, though critics argue it will do little beyond pricing out ordinary families while favoring elites.
Experts warned that the move could have devastating consequences for universities and businesses in the United States. Chinese students make up one of the largest international student groups in America, contributing billions of dollars annually to the U.S. education system. The Los Angeles Times reported that universities are bracing for a sharp decline in enrollments if the hike takes effect, with some institutions warning of budget crises and layoffs. Business leaders also expressed alarm, saying Chinese entrepreneurs and investors would now turn to Europe and Canada instead.
Universities across the U.S. warn Trump’s visa price hike could cost them billions in lost revenue. — @nytimes
In China, the backlash has grown into a nationalist rallying point. Hashtags condemning Trump’s decision trended on Weibo, with state media framing the move as part of a broader U.S. attempt to weaken China’s rising middle class. The South China Morning Post reported that some Chinese families are now shifting their focus toward European schools and companies that are actively courting applicants locked out of the U.S. system. “The West is not just America,” one commentator wrote, echoing calls for diversification.
For Trump’s supporters, however, the announcement was another example of his hardline stance on immigration and trade. Right-wing commentators on X praised the decision as a bold defense of American sovereignty. “We should never sell ourselves cheap,” one supporter wrote, echoing the former president’s own language. But critics, including both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, warned that the policy could backfire, straining ties with China while weakening America’s global appeal. Politico reported that bipartisan groups of lawmakers are already drafting legislation to block or roll back the measure.
Lawmakers on both sides warn Trump’s visa policy could isolate America and damage higher education. — @AP
Diplomatic analysts believe the fallout could spill into other areas of U.S.-China relations, including trade negotiations, technology cooperation, and security talks. Already, Chinese officials are hinting at restrictions on U.S. companies operating in China if the visa policy goes forward. “It would be a grave miscalculation,” one Beijing-based scholar told The Guardian. “America risks losing far more than it gains.”
As protests grow online and policymakers scramble, Hurricane Gabrielle may dominate headlines for now, but Trump’s visa bombshell is fast becoming the next global flashpoint. For thousands of families in China, the cost is already unbearable. For the U.S., the consequences could soon prove just as steep.
