BEIJING — China has tightened controls on chemicals used to make fentanyl, expanding export restrictions to include shipments bound for the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The move follows last week’s summit in South Korea between the U.S. and Chinese presidents, where the two leaders discussed cooperation on countering drug trafficking.
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced Monday that exports of 13 precursor chemicals to the three North American countries will now require government permits. The rule takes effect immediately.
The newly restricted chemicals are key ingredients used in the production of fentanyl and related synthetic opioids, which have spurred a huge increase in deaths in the United States.
Before the announcement, China’s regulations targeted fentanyl shipments to Myanmar, Laos and Afghanistan — countries known as major hubs for the production and trafficking of illicit drugs.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced in October that Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to help the United States crack down on fentanyl trafficking in exchange for reduced tariffs. Last week, Trump formally cut tariffs on certain Chinese goods linked to the fentanyl trade from 20 percent to 10 percent.
Also last week, FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly visited China to discuss fentanyl and other law enforcement issues. The fentanyl trade has long been a source of tension between Washington and Beijing.
During his first term, Trump sanctioned China over fentanyl, prompting Beijing to impose strict controls on the drug’s production and export by placing all fentanyl-related substances under regulation.
