Trump to Terminate All Remaining Federal Contracts with Harvard Worth $137 Million

General Services Administration Sends Letters to Government Agencies
Recommends Contract Termination and New Agreements with Other Institutions

The Donald Trump administration has not only frozen $3 billion (approximately 4.12 trillion won) in federal subsidies to Harvard University, but is also moving forward with plans to terminate various existing federal contracts with the institution.

Reuters Yonhap News

According to the New York Times (NYT), Bloomberg, and other sources on the 27th (local time), the U.S. General Services Administration recently sent letters to government agencies instructing them to review all current contracts with Harvard University. The administration cited concerns over antisemitism at Harvard and alleged racial discrimination in its admissions process.

The General Services Administration recommended that agencies terminate contracts deemed nonessential, and, if necessary, enter into agreements with alternative institutions.

This measure is expected to affect a wide range of existing contracts between the federal government and Harvard University. The remaining value of these contracts is estimated to be about $100 million (approximately 137 billion won).

Since returning to office, President Trump has intensified financial pressure on major private universities in the U.S., criticizing their antisemitism and progressive leanings. After the outbreak of the Gaza war last year, some Ivy League schools, including Columbia University?where anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian protests spread?have become primary targets. Among these, Harvard University has strongly protested, arguing that these actions infringe on academic freedom and university autonomy. In response, President Trump has further escalated pressure by repeatedly suspending financial support to Harvard.

Previously, the Trump administration reduced and froze various federal subsidies to Harvard. More recently, it revoked the eligibility of foreign students at Harvard to enroll and demanded the disclosure of foreign students' names and nationalities. President Trump also announced the previous day that he is considering reallocating the $3 billion in federal subsidies previously given to Harvard to support vocational schools.