China Re-Commits to Tackling Fentanyl Flow, Says Biden
United States President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that China has re-committed itself to addressing the issue of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in the US last year. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Biden and China’s Xi Jinping in San Francisco, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.
This agreement is significant because China had previously refused to engage in talks about the supply of fentanyl unless the US lifted restrictions on its Institute of Forensic Science. By renewing this commitment, China is providing a much-needed boost to anti-drug agencies in the US.
Moreover, this agreement is also politically advantageous for Biden, as it helps him defend against attacks from Republicans who have criticized the US government for not doing enough to stop the fentanyl trade.
Fentanyl is expected to be a major issue in the upcoming presidential election. If the flow of fentanyl is successfully halted, Biden can claim a victory in the war on drugs. However, if the trade continues, Republicans will have more ammunition to challenge his administration.
Under the US-China Fentanyl Agreement, China will not only target companies exporting finished versions of the drug but also crack down on those manufacturing precursor chemicals. The White House stated that the renewed agreement will focus on evolving strategies to counter the creation and distribution of newer illicit synthetic drugs. Additionally, it aims to reduce the diversion of precursor chemicals and pill presses to drug cartels in both the United States and China.
Biden expressed his optimism about the agreement, stating that it will save lives. However, the US will adopt a “trust but verify” approach towards China’s actions, given the mutual distrust between the two countries.
While China’s willingness to engage in talks on fentanyl gave hope to the American side, the issue of the Institute of Forensic Science remained a stumbling block. Chinese government spokespersons also pointed out that the US should not blame others for its own policy failures.
China and Mexico are the primary sources for fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the US, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The precursor chemicals for fentanyl largely come from China and are often disguised to avoid detection.
In 2018, China announced measures to combat the export of fentanyl after a meeting between Xi Jinping and then-US President Donald Trump. These measures included designating fentanyl as a controlled substance. As a result, the supply of fentanyl to the US significantly decreased. However, manufacturers started exploiting loopholes by altering the chemical structure of the opioid, leading China to widen its crackdown to include variants such as carfentanil.
Since then, fentanyl shipments have increasingly been routed through the Mexico border. The US is already in talks with Mexican officials to address this issue.
Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid, being 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. It is used for pain relief but is also abused as a recreational drug. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has labeled fentanyl and fentanyl-laced drugs as “extremely dangerous” and warns that many users may be unaware that their drugs are laced with it.
In conclusion, the renewed commitment by China to tackle the flow of fentanyl is seen as a positive step in addressing the opioid crisis in the US. The agreement will provide support to anti-drug agencies and help Biden politically. However, there remains mutual distrust between the US and China, and the issue of the Institute of Forensic Science needs to be resolved.
