Kevin O’Leary Discusses Trump’s Trade Policies and Harvard’s International Student Controversy

Kevin O’Leary Discusses Trump’s Trade Policies and Harvard’s International Student Controversy

In a recent segment of PBS News Hour, journalist Amna Nawaz engaged with Kevin O’Leary, a well-known businessman and celebrity investor from the show "Shark Tank." O’Leary provided his insights into President Trump’s ongoing trade wars and his battle against Harvard regarding international students.

Starting with the discussion on tariffs, Nawaz pointed out that recent court rulings have temporarily blocked the president's tariffs, while an appeals court issued a stay in favor of Trump. O’Leary interpreted these legal developments as evidence of the executive branch pushing limits without sufficient judicial feedback, which has resulted in the courts pushing back.

“If you’re an investor like I am,” O’Leary stated, “you don't really care about the politics. You certainly don’t make money on politics; you make money on policy.” He highlighted that Trump’s administration is uniquely trying to negotiate multiple deals simultaneously, which makes the situation complex but potentially rewarding. O’Leary speculated that the administration is ultimately looking to create new trade terms with several countries, as evidenced by recent negotiations with key players like the EU, Canada, and Mexico.

As the conversation turned towards market reactions, Nawaz referenced a term circulating among critics of Trump’s strategy—"TACO," which stands for "Trump Always Chickens Out." This term suggests that the markets respond to Trump’s erratic tariff announcements, often moving negatively only to rebound sharply when he backtracks. O’Leary was dismissive of this view, framing it instead as noise that distracts from the key signals in the market. He urged listeners to distinguish between the two, emphasizing that understanding the administration's objectives is crucial.

Nawaz then shifted the focus to Trump’s controversial policy affecting international students at Harvard. O’Leary, who teaches at Harvard Business School, expressed his discontent with the White House's stance on blocking international students at this prestigious institution. He carried a dual perspective on the matter, criticizing both Harvard’s handling of the situation and the Trump administration’s approach.

O’Leary stressed that Harvard curates an exceptional cohort of students across various backgrounds and that restricting admissions could be counterproductive for the U.S. economy. “Why would we train 37 percent of the smartest people on Earth at Harvard and then kick them out of the country 24 months later?” he questioned passionately. He advocated for a solution that would allow talented international students to stay in the U.S. post-graduation to grow businesses and contribute to the economy, rather than sending them back to compete against the U.S.

He suggested a collaborative effort between Harvard and the president to work out a practical solution for both parties involved, rather than resorting to legal conflict. O’Leary's perspective highlights the importance of foreign talent in maintaining and enhancing America’s global standing in education and innovation.

In closing, O’Leary emphasized that the U.S. is faced with a critical choice regarding its future relationships with international scholars. The discourse revealed that amidst political turbulence, there lies a significant opportunity for the U.S. to harness the talents of global citizens to advance its economic interests—illustrating that strategic policy decisions will have long-term ramifications.

Overall, the discussion reaffirmed the complex interplay between trade policies, political maneuvers, and the valuable role of international students within the U.S. economy.