During Donald J. Trump's initial term in office, China responded to U.S. demands by banning all variants of fentanyl in an effort to improve relations while negotiating a trade deal. Recently, amid ongoing trade tensions, China has reconsidered its stance on cooperation over fentanyl as a potential diplomatic option.
The ban on fentanyl in 2019 followed accusations from President Trump that China was insufficiently addressing the flow of the drug into the U.S., linking it to the broader trade conflict. As part of this cooperation, China also agreed to joint law enforcement efforts with the U.S., earning praise from President Trump for this humanitarian gesture.
Under the new Trump administration, there has been increased pressure on China to tackle the export of fentanyl’s chemical precursors. The administration attributed this push to the imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese goods, citing fentanyl as a contributing factor. Recently, the U.S. moved to close loopholes that allowed for undetected shipments of precursors.
In response to U.S. tariffs, which have escalated significantly, China has implemented its own high tariffs and expressed a commitment to resist what it perceives as blackmail. Nevertheless, there are indications from both countries that they are seeking avenues to ease trade tensions, with China's Ministry of Commerce indicating it is reviewing requests for negotiations but requiring U.S. sincerity as a precondition.
China is reportedly considering an offer to enhance collaboration with the U.S. regarding fentanyl, potentially involving a senior security minister visiting Washington to facilitate discussions. Beijing has expressed a desire for the U.S. to remove tariffs prior to any formal talks, hoping that mutual commitments on fentanyl cooperation could enable simultaneous tariff reductions.
In preparation for these discussions, China has designated Wang Xiaohong, a prominent security official, to lead the talks. As China’s Minister of Public Security and head of the National Narcotics Control Commission, he recently engaged in video discussions with the U.S. drug control office, indicating positive advancements in cooperation over the past year.
China's willingness to unilaterally address fentanyl issues marks a slight shift in its position, though it has previously resisted such cooperation due to perceived pressure exerted by tariffs. Beijing has countered accusations concerning its role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis, attributing the issue to domestic social challenges in the U.S. In March, the Chinese foreign minister criticized U.S. tariffs related to fentanyl, emphasizing that the relationship should not be approached with hostility.
Experts suggest that China possesses the capability to effectively regulate the fentanyl trade, viewing it as a political rather than a technical issue. Previous cooperation on fentanyl ceased in 2022 following diplomatic strains, but resumed after a summit between President Xi and President Biden in November 2023.
Despite recent regulatory expansions concerning precursor chemicals, enforcement remains challenging due to the adaptability of producers and the various legitimate uses for many of these chemicals in pharmaceutical production.