Trump Seeks 40,000-Death Fentanyl Pledge From Xi as Tariff Ruling Weakens Leverage
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 12
Trump Seeks 40,000-Death Fentanyl Pledge From Xi as Tariff Ruling Weakens Leverage
9 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 12
Trump is expected to press Xi Jinping for new Chinese commitments on fentanyl precursors, with nearly 40,000 Americans dying from synthetic opioids in 2025 despite a broader decline in overdose deaths.
Former U.S. officials and experts say his leverage is weaker because emergency tariffs on Chinese imports were struck down, leaving Washington likely to face promises rather than tougher enforcement.
Talks have largely stalled since October, when analysts say Beijing repackaged earlier offers, though Trump still sees political value in using fentanyl to show toughness on China.
Experts say meaningful gains would require steps beyond arrests, including Chinese "know your customer" rules for exporters and cooperation against banks and money-laundering networks tied to precursor sales.
China wants off the State Department's major drug-transit list due in September; past pressure did help curb direct fentanyl shipments, but precursor exports to Mexican cartels still sustain the U.S. crisis.
With economic leverage gone, can Trump’s diplomacy stop the flow of China’s deadly fentanyl precursors?
As traffickers unleash deadlier synthetics, is the U.S. focus on fentanyl precursors already too late?
China’s underground banks launder billions for cartels. Will President Xi actually dismantle this illicit financial system?