US President Donald Trump has said China could soon start putting fentanyl traffickers to death as part of a new crackdown pact. Trump stated that an agreement is in the works with Chinese President Xi Jinping to impose the death penalty on people who produce and ship fentanyl into the US. Trump also justified his 20% China tariff as a “penalty” against the destruction left by the drug.
President Trump just signed a bipartisan bill cracking down on fentanyl alongside Americans who shared heartbreaking stories about losing their children, and @FoxNews @CNN @MSNBC did not air the event.
What could be more important than this?👇 pic.twitter.com/6w1IVkVelD
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) July 16, 2025
Meanwhile, he accused former President Joe Biden of letting the crisis boil over with open border policies. Trump called the situation the worst drug crisis in the history of the United States, sparked by the surge of narcotics and criminals pouring into the nation.
Tariff as ‘Penalty’ for Fentanyl Damage
Trump explained he placed a 20% tariff on China solely due to the fentanyl issue. He referred to it as a penalty to make China pay monetarily.
“They bring a lot of the fentanyl. Some would even say they bring all of it. They ship it into Mexico and even into our own nation,” Trump stated.
He contended that China needs to pay billions of dollars in compensation in the form of tariffs. In his view, this compensation balances the damage brought by fentanyl into the US. Trump thinks the next move is severe punishment, perhaps with the death penalty for Chinese drug traffickers.
Trump Predicts Death Penalty Deal with Xi
Trump said he is close to securing a deal with China to impose the death penalty on fentanyl producers. Trump added that the agreement should have been signed years ago.
“I shook hands with them, then we had a rigged election,” he stated. “We had somebody else come in, and they didn’t know about anything about a deal for the death penalty.”
Trump furthered, “I think that’s going to happen very soon. But as of today, all fentanyl-related substances will be forever banned.” He stated that individuals who traffic fentanyl “will be sent to jail for a very long time.”
Today, President Trump signed legislation to amend the Controlled Substances Act regarding the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances.
This legislation cannot bring back our loved ones lost to fentanyl, but it will prevent countless deaths. pic.twitter.com/D3RIuVGKzO
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 16, 2025
Biden Blamed for ‘Worst Drug Crisis in History’
Trump was exceedingly critical of Joe Biden for letting the drug crisis escalate. Trump blamed Biden for diminishing border controls and allowing traffickers to operate freely.
“Today, we deliver a righteous blow to the drug dealers, the narcotic traffickers, and the criminal cartels,” Trump declared. “We take a historic step toward justice for every family victimized by the fentanyl scourge.”
He added that six months into his second term, his administration inherited a crisis. “For four long years, Joe Biden left our borders open to the most dastardly and brutal traffickers,” Trump declared.
Border Chaos and Law Enforcement Struggles
Trump threatened that illegal drugs and criminals pouring through open borders have overpowered law enforcement. He stated that the crisis has shattered American communities.
“This open borders nightmare flooded our country with fentanyl,” he said. “And with people that shouldn’t be here — some of the worst people on Earth.”
He described it as the greatest law enforcement problem in US history. “Hopefully,” he said, “it will always remain the largest. I can’t envision anything being worse.”
