In recent times, particularly since Donald Trump assumed the presidency for a second term, the United States has witnessed a troubling shift in its higher education policies that poses a direct threat to the global dominance of American universities, long considered the gold standard of academic excellence.
Historically, institutions like the Columbia University, Johns Hopkins, and a host of others, have led the world in knowledge production, pioneering research, and attracting the brightest minds from across the globe. However, under Trump’s administration, this legacy is increasingly at risk, potentially shifting the centre of intellectual power from the US to China, with broad implications for the global education landscape.
Trump’s policy on higher education has been marked by a combination of ideological opposition to certain academic principles and a more practical, economically motivated effort to reduce federal funding to elite institutions. His administration’s decisions have placed universities under increasing political pressure to align with specific conservative and specifically pro-Zionism agendas, exemplified by threats to rescind monetary grants from prestigious universities like Columbia and Johns Hopkins. This has created a toxic environment for research, where funding becomes increasingly dependent on political favour rather than academic merit or intellectual curiosity.
One of the most striking aspects of this policy shift is Trump’s choice of education secretary, Linda McMahon — a businesswoman who made a fortune promoting theatrical, choreographed bouts of professional wrestling. McMahon, who lacks a background in the field of education, has been an outspoken critic of the role of the Department of Education, calling it an unnecessary bureaucratic layer that doesn’t directly educate students or establish curricula. Her vow to send federal funds directly to states is a stark rebuke of the existing education establishment and further signifies the Trump administration’s approach to minimising federal oversight in education.
A significant factor that may contribute to the erosion of American universities’ dominance is the treatment of international students. The US has long been a beacon for international scholars, attracting a diverse array of intellectual talent that has propelled the country to the forefront of innovation and technological advancement. However, Trump’s administration has increasingly framed international students as a burden rather than an asset. Heightened visa restrictions, the threat of deportation and general hostility towards non-citizens have created a climate of fear and uncertainty, discouraging many international students from pursuing higher education in the US.
This shift is exacerbated by Trump’s broader strategy, which includes a crackdown on campus demonstrations and efforts to review curricula on politically sensitive topics, as seen in the case of Columbia University. In this instance, the White House forced the university to restrict demonstrations, review its Middle East curriculum and adopt stricter law enforcement policies during protests. These moves signal a broad effort to impose conservative values on top universities, further narrowing the intellectual freedom that has long characterised American academia.
The economic consequences of these policies are profound, but they represent only the tip of the iceberg. American universities are at risk of losing their status as the world’s intellectual powerhouse. The influx of international students has long been a vital component of the US academic ecosystem. Not only do these students contribute to the cultural richness and diversity of American campuses, but they also bring critical perspectives that drive innovation across multiple fields. With mounting obstacles to studying in the US, many international students are seeking alternatives, particularly in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom and notably China, which is aggressively pursuing its own academic and technological ascendancy.
As a result, the brain drain to the US that has long bolstered its universities is likely to halt, and in some cases, reverse. The flow of intellectual capital to China, and partially to Europe, will undermine America’s competitive edge in the global research and innovation race. China has been making strategic investments in its higher education sector, building world-class institutions and ramping up its focus on cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology and renewable energy. With the US increasingly closing its doors to international talent, China is positioning itself to become the leader in knowledge production, potentially surpassing the US in the coming decades.
What makes this shift particularly concerning is that American universities have historically been the cornerstone of the country’s global power. In discussions about international power politics, many have argued that while China’s rise has been extraordinary, the West — under American leadership — will maintain its sway due to its unrivalled capacity for knowledge generation. American institutions, with their robust funding, extensive research facilities and talent pool, have long been the envy of the world. As China’s higher education system improves and becomes more attractive to international scholars, this dynamic is poised to change. China’s growing influence in academia is no longer a distant prospect — it is an emerging reality.
The closure of the Department of Education at the federal level and the ongoing threats to funding for top universities are likely to exacerbate this process. Federal funding has been a critical source of support for high-quality research in the US. Without this funding, the infrastructure that allows for ground-breaking scientific and technological advancements will deteriorate. Academic research will be stifled, and the United States’ ability to lead in the innovation race will be significantly weakened. While some may argue that private funding or alternative sources can fill this gap, the reality is that much of the most critical research — especially in fields like space exploration, public health and climate change — relies heavily on public investment and collaboration.
In this context, the US faces a pivotal crossroads. While its universities continue to produce world-leading research and attract some of the brightest minds, policies that restrict access to international students, limit federal funding for higher education and curtail academic freedom may erode this competitive advantage. These self-inflicted wounds of the American education system could further accelerate the rise of China as an intellectual competitor.
The geopolitical implications of this shift cannot be overstated. The intellectual and technological leadership that has long been the strongest suit for the United States is being undermined at a time when global power dynamics are shifting rapidly. China, with its vast population, increasing investments in education and expanding influence in global research, is poised to capitalise on this opportunity. The erosion of American higher education could thus signal the decline of American dominance in global politics and innovation. The torch of intellectual leadership may soon pass to China, fundamentally altering the global balance of power.
The Trump administration’s policies toward higher education are not merely a domestic issue but also a matter of international significance. The potential consequences for the US are profound: a halt to the brain drain in its favour, a diminished ability to produce world-class research and the strengthening of China’s position as a global intellectual leader. The US risks losing its position at the forefront of knowledge production and innovation with long-term repercussions for both its global standing and its economic prospects. The world is watching closely.
The writer is a professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore.