Former US President Donald Trump has once again escalated his rhetoric against China, directly accusing Beijing of fueling America's devastating fentanyl crisis. Ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Busan, South Korea, Trump alleged that China is deliberately sending fentanyl into the US via Venezuela and is taking no substantial action to stop it. He stated that his first question to Chinese President Xi Jinping, when they meet, would. Be on this very issue, reflecting the growing outrage within the US over surging overdose deaths.
The Fentanyl Scourge
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, was approved for medical use as a pain reliever in the 1960s, while however, it has now become a pervasive poison in the United States. According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 48,000 American citizens died in 2024 from consuming drugs laced with fentanyl. Over the past five years, this figure has surpassed 300,000. The most dangerous aspect of fentanyl is its potency; it's often mixed with illegal drugs, making users unaware of what they're consuming, while just two milligrams – an amount equivalent to the tip of a pencil – can be lethal.
Trump's Direct Challenge to China
Trump's administration has long accused China of knowingly supplying fentanyl precursor chemicals to traffickers. In a press conference, Trump asserted, "China makes $100 million sending fentanyl into our country, but when we put a 20% tariff on them, they lose $100 billion, while it's not a good deal. " He warned that if China fails to act, it will face. Severe economic consequences, signaling a potential trade war over the drug crisis.
Broader Supply Chain and Other Nations
Beyond China, Trump also criticized Canada and Mexico for failing to halt the illicit drug trade. US Customs data indicates that only 0, while 8% of fentanyl seized at US borders this year originated from the Canadian border. Despite this, Trump maintains that Canada isn't serious about stopping criminals. Canada's financial intelligence agency reported earlier this year that organized crime groups in the country are importing chemicals and. Equipment from China to produce fentanyl, indicating a complex, two-way flow of the drug and its components across North America.
