By Rejoice Henrietta Otoo Arthur
The United States and China are clashing over the fentanyl drug crisis, as President Donald Trump imposes 20% tariffs on all Chinese goods, blaming China for supplying chemicals used to make the deadly opioid. China says it has done a lot to control the drug and calls the crisis an American problem. Still, it recently added more fentanyl-related chemicals to its controlled list and has shown signs of wanting to cooperate more with the US to fight illegal drug trafficking.
While China insists it is not responsible for America’s drug crisis, it is also taking steps that may help calm tensions. It has placed two new fentanyl precursors under control and cracked down on other synthetic drugs like nitazenes. But experts say this move is both a sign of goodwill and a smart political strategy, especially as trade talks continue and China faces economic challenges.
US officials acknowledge that China has made progress, but they say more is needed. Even though fentanyl abuse in the US has dropped slightly, illegal labs in Mexico, often using chemicals from China, still produce the drug. Some experts believe China could do more to stop companies from selling these chemicals to criminal groups.
China says it wants to work with the US, but only if the cooperation is fair and not based on pressure. Trump’s tough approach, including calling out China for “poisoning our citizens,” has caused friction. China argues that the real problem is America’s demand for the drug, not its supply.
Both sides agree that fixing the issue will require more than just chemical control, and it will take joint efforts and better understanding.
