China has promised to respond with countermeasures following President Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on Chinese goods related to fentanyl smuggling. The U.S. accuses China of responsibility for the opioid crisis, while Beijing defends its drug laws as among the strictest globally and calls for dialogue to resolve the issues. In 2023, the opioid crisis resulted in over 74,000 deaths in the U.S.
Following the announcement by President Donald Trump regarding new tariffs, China has issued a warning of potential countermeasures. The U.S. tariffs are a response to ongoing issues related to the smuggling of fentanyl from China, which Trump stated has reached “very high and unacceptable levels.” On social media, he declared a 10 percent tax on Chinese imports, which would augment earlier tariffs imposed this month.
In a response to Trump’s declaration, the Ministry of Commerce in China condemned the U.S. for shifting responsibility regarding the opioid crisis. The spokesperson emphasized that Chinese drug laws are among the strictest globally and urged the U.S. to refrain from making similar mistakes in diplomatic relations. They called for the restoration of dialogue aimed at mutually beneficial resolutions.
The spokesperson further asserted that if the U.S. continues on its current path, China will implement necessary countermeasures to protect its interests. They reiterated that unilateral tariffs contravene World Trade Organization regulations and undermine the global trading framework. In 2023, over 74,000 individuals in the U.S. succumbed to synthetic opioid overdoses, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has identified China as the main source of chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, trafficked by criminal organizations in Mexico. Beijing claims it has collaborated with the U.S. to combat the fentanyl supply by designating fentanyl-related substances as controlled drugs, indicating their commitment to effective drug control measures and cooperation.
The recent announcement by President Trump regarding additional tariffs on Chinese goods has elicited a firm response from China, which has pledged to take countermeasures against what it perceives as unfair blame concerning the fentanyl crisis. China emphasizes its strict drug regulations and calls for diplomatic dialogue rather than unilateral actions. The ongoing opioid crisis in the United States, as highlighted by significant overdose statistics, underscores the complexities of this international issue, which continues to affect both countries’ relations.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
