BEIJING – China is urging the Trump administration to stop using the fentanyl epidemic as leverage in trade disputes, accusing the U.S. of “blackmail.”
According to CNBC, a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said Wednesday that while China is willing to work with the U.S. to combat illicit fentanyl trafficking, continued tariff increases could jeopardize that cooperation.
“If harming China’s interests is what the U.S. wants, China will take resolute countermeasures. If the U.S. truly wants to solve the issue, then the right thing to do is to consult with China on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit to address each other’s concerns,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has increased tariffs on Chinese goods by 20 percent, citing China’s alleged role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis. The Drug Enforcement Administration has identified China as the primary source of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked into the United States.
In response to ongoing scrutiny, the Chinese government recently published a white paper outlining its efforts to curb the production and export of fentanyl precursors.
“China has severely cracked down on criminal activities concerning fentanyl-related substances and their precursors in accordance with the law. Since implementing full control of fentanyl-related substances, China has not detected any further cases of smuggling or selling fentanyl-related substances abroad,” reads a press release in conjunction with the white paper.
As Emily’s Hope reported in 2023, former President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping reached an agreement to limit the export of fentanyl-related chemicals. Under the deal, China committed to cracking down on chemical companies involved in producing and exporting precursor materials used to manufacture fentanyl. The agreement also included a renewed U.S.-China counter-narcotics partnership and the formation of a joint working group to share law enforcement information.