After years of US pressure, China agrees to restrictions on fentanyl chemicals

(LAUREN TAYLOR)

CHINA WILL IMPOSE STRICTER RULES ON THE PRODUCTION OF THE CHEMICALS THAT MAKE UP FENTANYL – WITH THE WHITE HOUSE CALLING THE MOVE A “VALUABLE STEP FORWARD.”

FOR YEARS — THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS PUSHED PRESSURE ON BEIJING TO CONTROL THE FENTANYL CRISIS. THE DRUG CHEMICALS ARE PRODUCED IN CHINA AND THEN SOLD TO MEXICAN CARTELS, WHERE THEY ARE PROCESSED INTO FENTANYL AND THEN SMUGGLED INTO THE U.S. BY CARTELS.

IN AMERICA, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM FENTANYL OVERDOSES EVERY DAY.

IN 2023 – NEARLY 75,000 PEOPLE WILL DIE FROM FENTANYL, ACCORDING TO ESTIMATES FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION. ILLEGAL FENTANYL IS ALSO THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR PEOPLE AGES 18 TO 45 IN AMERICA.

CHINA HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL OBTAIN LICENSES FROM EXPORTERS OF THREE PRECURSORS OF FENTANYL CHEMICALS FROM SEPTEMBER 1, ACCORDING TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

OVER THE YEARS – THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS SEEKED TO HAVE CHINA ARREST DRUG PRODUCERS, BUT CHINA STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CHEMICAL PRODUCERS WERE VIOLATING CHINESE LAWS. THE PRECURSOR DRUGS, FENTANYL, WERE NOT RESTRICTED IN CHINA.

IN NOVEMBER 2023 – PRESIDENT BIDEN MEETED WITH CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING IN SAN FRANCISCO TO DISCUSS BILATERAL COOPERATION ON NARCOTICS. THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS CHINA’S ANNOUNCEMENT “MARKS THE PRC’S THIRD MAJOR PLANNING ACTION” SINCE THAT TIME.

CHINA’S DECISION COMES THREE MONTHS AHEAD OF NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS — A SIGN THAT EXPERTS SAY CHINA WANTS TO COOPERATE IN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE US.

LAST WEEK, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION URGED CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION AIMED AT COMBATING ILLEGAL FENTANYL AND HOLDING DRUG TRAFFICKERS ACCOUNTABLE.

FOR SAN, I AM LT…

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