Trump v Harvard: Why this battle will damage US reputation globally

Harvard University is suing the Trump administration over its unprecedented attempt to bar international students from its campus.

- BY THOMAS GIFT

The latest salvo is that the administration has said it is cancelling all federal funds, totalling US$100 million (£73.8 million). Although a federal judge has temporarily blocked the order to ban foreign students, many observers are rightly expressing deep concern about the global ramifications of the battle for the reputation of the US.

The story hits home for me. Every year for the last decade, I've taught a course on globalisation in the Harvard summer school.

Although 27% of Harvard's student body is international, my course — due to its topical focus — draws a disproportionate number of international students, many from emerging economies.

As I know firsthand, these students contribute enormously to the classroom experience. Their insights, shaped by distinct national contexts, enliven discussion and further understanding for everyone — international and domestic students alike. Without them, the classroom isn't just quieter; it's poorer in perspective.

Yet my concern with Trump's latest attempt to put a political target on Harvard's back extends beyond international students. For centuries Harvard and countless other leading US institutions of higher learning have welcomed international students to their campuses. This isn't purely a selfless act. These students are a boon to the US at home and abroad. Here's why.

1. Spreading democracy

Universities aren't just a key economic driver for the United States. They're also a reflection of its democratic values. Students who attend Harvard and similar universities, especially those from outside advanced, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) democracies, often return to their native countries after they've received their diplomas, poised to make a difference in national politics.