President Donald Trump stunned many by announcing recently that he wants the U.S. to allow 600,000 Chinese students into American universities, a figure that more than doubles the current enrollment. “We’re going to allow, it’s very important, 600,000 students.”How Many Chinese Students Are in the US? Chinese students made up a quarter (24.5%) of the international student population that year, which, if their spending is like that of other international students, means they added $10.73 billion to the U.S. economy. Human CapitalBeyond dollars and cents, Chinese students play a significant role in America’s talent pipeline. The Bottom LineTrump’s push for 600,000 Chinese students may seem surprising, but it’s ultimately driven by economic considerations and competitiveness.