The Trump administration initiated an investigation into UC Berkeley regarding its foreign funding, particularly focusing on its collaboration with China's Tsinghua University. This investigation is a part of a broader effort by President Trump to enforce stricter disclosure requirements for foreign gifts and contracts in universities. The Department of Education claims UC Berkeley failed to report substantial funding from foreign sources, including a reported $220 million from the Chinese government. The university has denied these allegations, asserting compliance with federal inquiries and emphasizing that their research is openly disseminated. Concurrently, the administration is also challenging Harvard University over similar concerns, highlighting a broader conflict over foreign financial ties and academic policies.

The Trump administration has launched an investigation into UC Berkeley, focusing on its failure to disclose significant foreign funding, particularly from China’s Tsinghua University.

This investigation follows executive orders from President Trump aimed at enforcing Section 117, which mandates the disclosure of foreign gifts and contracts exceeding $250,000.

UC Berkeley has been accused of not reporting $220 million received from the Chinese government for the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, a partnership established in 2014.

The university denies the allegations, stating that it has been cooperating with federal inquiries and that its research results are disseminated globally without being used for other purposes.

The Department of Education's actions against UC Berkeley are part of a wider scrutiny of universities, including Harvard, over foreign financial ties and compliance with federal reporting requirements.

Reports suggest that U.S. tax dollars have indirectly contributed to China's military and technological advancements through collaborations like the one between UC Berkeley and Tsinghua University.

The investigation into foreign funding is occurring alongside tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard over issues related to pro-Palestinian protests and diversity initiatives.