Michigan Probed Over China Ties, Biomat Smuggling

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the University of Michigan after two Chinese scientists affiliated with the university were charged with smuggling biological materials into the U.S., raising concerns about potential agroterrorism and national security threats from China. The department alleges UM submitted incomplete and inaccurate disclosures regarding tens of millions in foreign funding, with some funders misidentified as nongovernmental entities despite links to foreign governments. UM has been ordered to provide five years of tax records, lists of foreign gifts, grants, contracts, and details on international collaborations within 30 days. This probe is part of a broader U.S. effort—under both the Trump and current administrations—to increase transparency on foreign influence in higher education, especially from China. UM ended a long-standing partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University earlier this year due to national security concerns and has pledged full cooperation with authorities. Experts continue to debate the actual national security risk posed by the smuggled materials, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of foreign research ties on U.S. campuses.