China has taken new measures to control the export of synthetic opioid precursors as tensions with the United States intensify on the mortal fentanyl crisis, which has charged tens of thousands of lives annually throughout the United States.
The measure follows the decision of US President Donald Trump earlier this year of imposing a 20% rate on all Chinese imports starts from a broader offensive against the supposed role of Beijing in the maintenance of fentanyl flow to the country. Despite the initial rejection, the Chinese authorities now seem to be pointing out a will to expand cooperation.
At the end of last month, Beijing added two additional fentanyl precursors to their list of controlled substances, aligning with international standards. Days before, it extended a control similar to nitazenos, another kind of powerful synthetic opioids. China Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong also told the United States ambassador to China David Perdue that Beijing was open to strengthen “practical cooperation” in drug control.
Although China argues that it has already made “tremendous” efforts to address the problem, officials continue to reject the use of Washington pressure tactics. “We are ready for practical cooperation with the US. Based on equality and mutual respect. That said, we firmly oppose the presentation of the United States, threatening and chanting China under the pretext of the problem of fentanyl,” said a Chinese spokesman in March.
While the Biden administration previously recognized Beijing's efforts in 2019 to list fentanil as a controlled substance, a movement that led to a decrease in direct shipments of China, Trump's renewed tariffs have revived tensions. Critics argue that the new administration could not prove the continuous compliance of China with international regulations, instead of restoring diplomatic progress.
In recent years, drug traffickers have changed tactics. Instead of sending fentanyl directly, Chinese suppliers now send precursor chemicals to laboratories administered by posters in Mexico, where the medicine is manufactured and contradicts the United States. Despite China's additional restrictions on these chemicals, experts say they should be done more.
“Programming drugs and precursors … is a step of many necessary in China,” said David Lukey, Senior researcher at Rand Corporation. “It would even better prevent Chinese companies from selling and distributing these chemicals and harmful drugs to criminal organizations in Mexico.”
In March, the United States Department of State recognized “significant steps” by China to stop exports of controlled chemicals, including energetic measures to online suppliers, arrest and place 55 medications and synthetic precursors under strict control. The China Ministry of Public Security reported that it seized more than 1,400 tons of precursors in 2024, together with 151 related criminal cases.
However, application gaps remain. Chinese scientists warn that monitoring these chemicals is a “cat and mouse” game due to the ease with which traffickers modify substances to evade detection. “You really can't solve the fentanyl problem only through control … the most fundamental problem continues to reduce demand,” said Hua Zhendong, drug analyst under the Ministry of Public Security.
Observers also point out that Trump's hard line approach, especially their decision to group China drug controls in broader commercial disputes, may seem cooperation. “If Washington does not publicly recognize the Chinese steps and shows the capacity to respond to Beijing's concerns, then the bilateral cooperation of the application of the law will probably hesitate,” said Ryan Hass from the Brookings institution.
Beijing has also reacted strongly to a report from the United States Congress alleging that the Chinese government subsidized the export of illicit fentanyl materials. In March, China launched a detailed white role of 7,000 words that defends its history and reiterated that opioid crisis is a domestic problem in the United States.
However, China seems anxious to avoid being labeled as a global drug supplier. Analysts say that the country is using recent actions such as negotiation chips to gain ground in commercial conversations and potentially to pave the way for a Trump visit to China this year.
“Since the 20% rate is specifically linked to cooperation in fentanil, the Chinese could be waiting for a package,” Yun Sun said from the Stimson Center. “They need to solve good progress.”