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US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that China is taking “big steps” to stem the supply of fentanyl into the US a step he praised as part of continued trade talks between Washington and Beijing. The president also reiterated his view that tariffs imposed on Chinese goods are putting pressure on Beijing to respond to the opioid crisis.
I believe China has been assisting,” Trump said at an Oval Office press briefing. “It was a disaster with fentanyl for years, but since I’ve been here, we’re negotiating with them and they’re making significant progress. They’re being punished with tariffs because of the fentanyl, but they want to do something.
Trump’s recent tone is sharply different from his previous position. In February, he held China directly responsible for the influx of fentanyl entering the country and justified sharp tariffs in retaliation. Then, he announced a doubling of tariffs on Chinese imports from the previously scheduled 10% to an effective rate of 20%.
“These drugs, a great deal of them in fentanyl form, are produced in and shipped from China,” Trump posted on Truth Social in February. “Until it ceases or is materially reduced, the announced tariffs to be implemented on March 4 will go forward.”
The comments preceded Trump’s signing of the HALT Fentanyl Act (Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act), which makes fentanyl-related substances permanently Schedule I Controlled Substances under the Controlled Substances Act. The classification includes chemicals that have a high potential for abuse and no medical use accepted, with severe legal consequences including minimum mandatory sentences.
The president took the opportunity to repeat his larger trade plan. He referenced new reciprocal tariffs of 125% on Chinese goods, which will go into effect once a temporary delay runs out on August 12. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is in negotiations with Chinese officials to forestall the full enforcement of those tariffs.
Trump also attacked Mexico and Canada, stating they have not acted sufficiently to prevent fentanyl entry through their borders. In February, he called for 25% tariffs on imports from both countries as part of his wider crackdown.
“China produces a lot of the fentanyl some report all of it,” Trump said. “They ship it into Mexico and even into our nation directly. We imposed a 20% tariff, which is billions of dollars in damages, and I think China will go from that to giving the death penalty for producing this poison.”
While fentanyl-related fatalities in the US had increased by leaps and bounds in recent times, hitting a high of more than 76,000 in 2023, recent CDC estimates indicate a drop to approximately 48,000 in 2024, indicating that the crisis might be coming under control.
