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Liberty Caller Editorial Team

China’s New Fentanyl Regulations – SOLIDARITY?

China announces new regulations on fentanyl precursor chemicals while officials continue to insist the deadly drug crisis is America’s problem to solve, not theirs.

At a Glance

  • China will implement new regulations on fentanyl precursor chemicals starting September 1, which the Biden administration views as a positive step
  • Chinese factories remain major suppliers of chemicals used by Mexican cartels to produce fentanyl that kills thousands of Americans
  • Chinese officials maintain “fentanyl is the U.S.’s problem, not China’s” despite evidence linking Chinese suppliers to the deadly trade
  • Experts remain skeptical about China’s commitment to enforcement, describing the new regulations as potentially superficial
  • Diplomatic tensions continue as China demands the U.S. remove tariffs before further cooperation on fentanyl issues

China’s New Regulations: Substance or Show?

China is set to implement new regulations on precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production beginning September 1, a move the Biden administration has cautiously welcomed. The regulations represent the third significant regulatory action since President Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and resumed bilateral counter-narcotics cooperation that had been suspended amid diplomatic tensions.

Chinese chemical factories continue to be major suppliers of the essential ingredients Mexican drug cartels use to produce fentanyl and methamphetamines that ultimately flow into American communities and fuel the ongoing overdose crisis.

“This marks the third significant [regulatory] action by the PRC since President Biden met with President Xi and resumed bilateral counter-narcotics cooperation,” said National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett.

However, many experts remain deeply skeptical about China’s commitment to enforcement. John Coyne and other analysts have characterized the regulations as a public-relations move, noting that many chemicals remain unregulated in China. U.S. investigators have found no evidence of China prosecuting companies involved in the fentanyl supply chain, raising questions about the Chinese government’s sincerity in addressing the issue that claims tens of thousands of American lives annually.

Chinese Officials: “Not Our Problem”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun has taken a hardline stance on the fentanyl crisis, explicitly stating that the deadly epidemic is solely America’s responsibility. This position comes despite clear evidence linking Chinese chemical manufacturers to the production chain that ultimately delivers the synthetic opioid to American streets. The Chinese government’s position appears to dismiss the international nature of the drug trade and the responsibility of source countries to control dangerous precursor chemicals.

“Fentanyl is the U.S.’s problem, not China’s. The U.S. and the U.S. alone has the responsibility to solve it,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.

Guo has also criticized the United States for imposing tariffs on Chinese imports, claiming this approach undermines potential cooperation on counter-narcotics efforts. Chinese officials have indicated they will not address the fentanyl issue further until these tariffs are lifted, effectively creating a standoff in what many American officials view as a critical public health and national security matter requiring immediate international cooperation.

https://twitter.com/BrokenAnthemUSA/status/1892293919104520555

Shifting Production and Diplomatic Tensions

The fentanyl trade has evolved over time, with China now primarily shipping precursor chemicals to Mexican cartels rather than finished fentanyl directly to the United States. This adaptation has made the supply chain more complex and challenging to disrupt.

Adding to these complications, Chinese criminal organizations are reportedly involved in money laundering operations for Mexican cartels, creating a web of illicit activity that spans multiple borders and jurisdictions. The White House has indicated it views the new regulations as a foundation for pushing China toward more substantive action.

“We obviously think the PRC can do a lot more,” stated a senior Biden Administration official.

U.S. officials report frustratingly slow progress in negotiations with China on controlling precursor chemicals. Despite China’s membership in the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which agreed to tighter controls on fentanyl chemicals, their regulatory proposals have been criticized as inadequate.

The Trump administration had previously imposed tariffs on China partly in response to perceived inaction on the fentanyl crisis, a measure that prompted retaliatory actions and further strained diplomatic relations. As tensions continue, the comprehensive U.S. strategy includes targeting cartel leaders and expanding health and addiction programs.

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