In a significant development, a top Chinese official is reportedly asking what the Trump administration wants Beijing to do about chemicals used to make fentanyl. Wang Xiaohong, China’s minister of public security, has been inquiring about the Trump administration’s expectations regarding the fentanyl issue. This comes amid an ongoing trade war between the US and China. Chinese companies produce precursors that flow to Mexican drug cartels, which then make fentanyl and smuggle it into the US.
The Trump administration has been pressing China to take more action to combat the flow of fentanyl into the US. The White House has criticized China’s lack of meaningful steps to stem the flow of precursor chemicals to known illicit drug producers. Trump imposed 20% tariffs on China over its role in the fentanyl epidemic, which kills tens of thousands of Americans every year. The administration’s efforts aim to hold China accountable for its role in the crisis.
A potential meeting between Wang and senior Trump administration officials in a neutral country could be a crucial step towards finding a solution. The Trump administration’s approach has been to incentivize China to take action through tariffs and diplomatic pressure. With the lives of tens of thousands of Americans at stake, the outcome of these efforts will be closely watched. Will China take decisive action to address the fentanyl crisis, or will the trade war continue to hinder progress?
