Since taking office, Trump identified China’s supply of materials used to produce fentanyl as a key issue and imposed a 20 percent tariff on Chinese goods. China consistently denied involvement and refused to address the problem, claiming it was solely a U.S. issue. Fentanyl has been responsible for over 70,000 American deaths annually.
However, China has recently shifted its stance significantly.
On June 19, China’s State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, met with U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue in Beijing and expressed China’s willingness to cooperate with the United States on anti-drug efforts.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, Wang stated during the meeting that Beijing is prepared to work with Washington to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. Based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, both sides will carry out practical cooperation in law enforcement areas such as drug control and the repatriation of illegal immigrants, striving to achieve outcomes that benefit the peoples of both countries.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao, June 20, 2025
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20250620-6903140