President Trump defended saying he would allow 600,000 students from China into the U.S., despite backlash from some of his supporters who say the shift in his strict visa policies undermines his “America first” agenda.

In an interview with the Daily Caller released Sunday, the president said China is paying America “a lot of money right now” and insisted that allowing Chinese students to attend U.S. universities is the “right thing to do.”

“I have a very good relationship with President Xi. I think it’s very insulting to a country when you say you’re not going to take your students,” Trump said when asked whether his recent remarks were a negotiating tactic or something he thinks would benefit the United States.

“You know, I get along with China,” Trump added. “China’s paying us a lot

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