The possibility of Harvard University facing a sanctions investigation has recently been brought to light, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio helming the charge. Both NBC Boston and Reuters report that Rubio has recommended to the Treasury Department to open an investigation to determine if the university violated federal sanctions during its involvement with a health insurance conference held in China.
Specifically under scrutiny is the Training Course on Health Financing, a collaborative effort between Harvard, the World Bank, and China's National Health Insurance Administration. According to the Times, Rubio approved this recommendation in May. Acting on a collaboration, officials blacklisted by the United States may have been included at the conference, raising questions about potential sanctions violations.
While the Treasury Department, steadfast on upholding the integrity of U.S. sanctions, has been tight-lipped, a spokesperson stated, "any allegations of sanctions violations extremely seriously" but declined to comment on any potential or ongoing investigations, according to Reuters. Similarly, inquiries directed at the State Department have been met with silence, with their spokesperson also declining to offer any commentary.
Further complicating matters is Harvard University's engagement with the state-run Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, which, as reported by The New York Times, has prompted an internal review by Harvard. Nevertheless, a spokesman from Harvard declined to comment when approached by The New York Times. Subsequent requests for comment from Harvard to Reuters have not yet received a response.
