The fentanyl crisis in the United States is significantly influenced by China's role as the largest supplier of chemicals for opioid production. China's regulators have the ability to control the black market but have not acted decisively against the trade, seeing it as a form of political leverage. Recent tariffs imposed by President Trump in response to China's inaction signal renewed pressure for accountability. Despite some new restrictions announced by China, their cooperation remains inconsistent and will likely come at a cost as they seek to leverage negotiations over the issue.
The United States won't be able to solve the fentanyl crisis without help from its greatest rival. China is the world's largest supplier of the chemicals that drug smugglers use to produce the opioid.
Beijing denies its role in the drug trade beyond its borders. As a spokesperson for the foreign ministry said in May, 'Fentanyl is the U.S.'s problem, not China's.'
President Donald Trump is making a renewed effort to hold China accountable. Earlier this year, he imposed tariffs in retaliation for the country's refusal to act firmly to rein in the trade.
Chinese leaders are well aware that fentanyl is a bigger problem for the United States than it is for China. They will withhold 'cooperation as a piece of leverage' until they can extract 'certain guarantees or the right price.'
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