China says U.S. must tackle its own fentanyl problem

A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chemist checks confiscated powder containing fentanyl at the DEA Northeast Regional Laboratory on October 8, 2019 in New York. According to US government data, about 32,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2018. That accounts for 46 percent of all fatal overdoses. Fentanyl, a powerful painkiller approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for a range of conditions, has been central to the American opioid crisis which began in the late 1990s. (Photo by Don EMMERT / AFP)

BEIJING — China stated on Tuesday that the responsibility for addressing the fentanyl crisis lies with the United States.

Lin Jian, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, responded to questions at a news conference regarding potential discussions on fentanyl in future trade talks.

The U.S. has imposed punitive tariffs on China, alleging Beijing has not controlled the flow of fentanyl.

Lin Jian described these tariffs as unreasonable, emphasizing that China views fentanyl as a domestic issue for the U.S.

Despite tensions, both nations have pledged to reduce tariffs on each other’s goods.

The trade relations between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies, have seen a reduction in tensions recently.

Related posts

Taiwanese film sounds alarm on looming China threat

Trump kicks off foreign diplomacy in Saudi Arabia

Former South Korean President Yoon Faces Trial for Insurrection Charges