Fentanyl Focus: US-China Trade Talks Poised for New Front
Washington, DC – The contentious issue of fentanyl precursor trafficking is set to re-enter the spotlight in upcoming US-China trade negotiations, according to analysts. This progress follows two previous rounds of talks that reportedly did not address the critical matter.
the potential inclusion of fentanyl in future discussions was amplified by recent remarks from US President Donald Trump. He acknowledged China’s “big steps” in curbing the flow of chemical precursors across American borders,a move that includes the severe penalty of death for smugglers.
The US initially cited the trafficking of materials used to produce fentanyl as the basis for its tariff escalation against China in March.
Experts suggest that if the fentanyl issue is indeed brought to the table, it could contribute to a further easing of tensions between the world’s two largest economies. This potential de-escalation could occur in August,following a 90-day trade truce agreed upon during talks in Geneva in May.some observers are even more optimistic, anticipating a return to the terms of the 2020 trade deal that temporarily halted the escalating trade dispute.
“It’s reasonable to view the fentanyl issue as a potential ‘third stage’ in US-China negotiations, particularly given how politically salient it has become in Washington,” stated Matteo Giovannini, senior finance manager at the Industrial adn Commercial Bank of China and a non-resident associate fellow at the Center for China and Globalisation.
Giovannini elaborated, “While not traditionally a trade matter, the fentanyl crisis has been elevated to a core national security and public health concern in the US, which means it can be leveraged in broader bilateral talks.”
Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has tragically become the leading cause of death in the United States for individuals aged 18 to 45, as reported by the US Drug Enforcement governance.