China foreign ministry: US fentanyl tariffs severely affected China-US drug control dialogue and cooperation

China foreign ministry: US fentanyl tariffs severely affected China-US drug control dialogue and cooperation

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has released a statement asserting that the U.S. fentanyl tariffs imposed by President Trump in his second term have significantly hindered the dialogue and cooperation between the two nations on drug control. The ministry maintains that these tariffs have not only strained bilateral relations but also impeded practical measures to combat the opioid crisis.

Since the implementation of the tariffs, China has taken several steps to address the fentanyl issue, including adding two more fentanyl precursors to its list of controlled substances and extending control over nitazenes, powerful synthetic opioids. These actions, however, have not been recognized or acknowledged by the U.S. administration, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The ministry argues that the U.S. has not shown responsiveness to China's efforts, despite the country's active participation in global drug control. This lack of recognition, they contend, has led to a breakdown in bilateral law enforcement cooperation. Experts suggest that a more effective approach would have been to acknowledge and build upon China's initial steps, rather than imposing tariffs.

The U.S. has long accused China of being a major source of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, contributing to the opioid crisis in the U.S. However, China maintains that it has done "tremendous work" to address the issue and that the problem is primarily a domestic U.S. concern. The Chinese government has also released a detailed white paper outlining its efforts to control fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, but has been critical of U.S. tariffs as a means of addressing the issue.

The impact of the tariffs on the drug control dialogue and cooperation is a significant concern for both nations. As the opioid crisis continues to be a pressing issue, the ability of the U.S. and China to work together effectively is crucial. The Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement underscores the need for mutual recognition and cooperation to address the complex issue of fentanyl trafficking and control.

References:
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/12/china/us-china-fentanyl-tariffs-intl-hnk