US President Donald Trump has taken a pro-American stance in all areas of his governance since his return to office after a landslide victory in the 2024 presidential election.
From detaining illegal immigrants to curbing H-1B visas, Trump’s focus has earned him admiration and criticism in almost equal measure from America’s political corridors.
However, the US president now appears to have softened his stance, saying in a recent Fox News interview that it is essential for the United States to bring in talented individuals from foreign countries.
Trump on HIB
In an interview when asked if H1B visa restrictions would be a priority for his administration, the US president said the ropes needed skilled individuals from foreign countries because unemployed Americans could not be given opportunities in complex roles in manufacturing and defense without adequate training.
Read also | Is Trump going soft on H-1B visas? Admits that America ‘must bring talent’
Asked if the U.S. doesn’t have the talent it needs, Trump said: “No, you don’t, no, you don’t … you don’t have a certain talent and people have to learn. You can’t take people out of unemployment and say, ‘I’m going to put you in a factory where we’re going to make rockets.’
Trump on tariffs
Trump, after imposing 50 percent tariffs on India, which were among the highest in the world, has now backed down from that position as well.
On Tuesday, Trump said the US would reduce high tariffs on India. He also claimed that India had reduced its purchase of Russian oil, which was the reason initially put forward by Washington for imposing high tariffs on India.
“Right now the tariffs on India are very high because of Russian oil and they (India) have stopped paying for Russian oil… It’s coming down very substantially. Yes, we will reduce the tariffs at some point,” Trump said during a White House briefing.
India also said talks between the two sides on a new trade deal are progressing well.
Read also | What is Trump’s $2,000 tariff dividend plan for Americans? – 10 things you should know
One of the officials said, “The talks between the two sides are going well and India and the US are negotiating a comprehensive WTO-compliant trade agreement. India kept every sensitive sector in mind during the talks. We do not see the need for further rounds of talks with the US and are now awaiting a response to India’s draft trade agreement.”
Trump on foreign students
In another major twist, Donald Trump now believes it is essential for foreign students to come to America.
In an interview with Fox News, the US president said it was important to bring in international students to help the financial stability of US universities.
Trump said, “You don’t want to cut half the people, half the students from all over the world that come to our country — destroy our entire university and college system — I don’t want that.”
“I actually think it’s good to have foreign countries. Look, I want to be able to get along with the world,” he also said.
Read also | Fewer international students, fewer dollars: America’s colleges are feeling the pinch
“We have a lot of people coming from China, we always have China and other countries. We also have a massive system of colleges and universities. And if we were to cut it in half, which may please some people, half of the colleges in the United States would disappear,” the American president also said.
“We receive trillions of dollars from students. You know, students pay more than double when they come from most foreign countries. I want our school system to prosper… It’s not that I want them, but I see it as a business,” he also said.
