FBI Director Christopher A. Wray told Congress this week that the Chinese government is at the root of the fentanyl trafficking that has flooded the U.S., and he said Beijing could shut down the flow of drugs if it wanted.
President Biden was in San Francisco, where he aimed to secure a commitment from Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding fentanyl trafficking. Biden emerged claiming victory, stating that China had agreed to restart law enforcement coordination to curb fentanyl and its precursors as well as the pill presses.
The White House later added that China had warned its domestic industry against shipping the chemicals and pill presses that could run afoul of the law and shut down certain China-based pharmaceutical companies. China also resumed sharing data with the International Narcotics Control Board, which it had suspended three years ago.
Fentanyl and its precursors, along with pill presses, are primarily sourced from unscrupulous actors in China. China’s cooperation could significantly impact the opioid crisis in the U.S., according to experts.
Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, described the agreement as a great improvement over Beijing’s previous noncooperation and emphasized the importance of months of engagement and diplomacy in reaching this point.
However, some remain skeptical and cautious, such as Sen. Bill Hagerty, Tennessee Republican, who emphasized the need for tangible results from China to end the flow of fentanyl and precursors into the U.S. without any room for empty promises.
Historically, efforts to address the influx of Chinese-manufactured fentanyl into the U.S. have had limited success. While legislation and pressure on China saw a temporary decline in opioid deaths, the figures surged again in 2020 and continue to rise.
Chinese companies have found new partners in Mexican cartels, shipping manufacturing materials to Mexico, where the drug is fabricated and sent north into the U.S. Some critics allege that the Chinese government may have indirectly supported this effort as a means to harm the U.S.
FBI Director Wray highlighted the significant role of Chinese companies in supplying fentanyl’s chemicals and pill presses to Mexican cartels, and he indicated the government’s involvement in these activities.
The exact method of smuggling fentanyl into the U.S. is still a matter of debate. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas mentioned that the vast majority of fentanyl is smuggled through official border crossings, whereas Democrats argue that attempts to associate fentanyl with the surge of migrants crossing the border are misplaced.
As the U.S. continues to grapple with the opioid crisis, the recent agreement with China represents a significant step forward in curbing the flow of fentanyl and its precursors. While skepticism remains regarding China’s willingness to uphold its commitment, the renewed cooperation and international law enforcement efforts are promising signs in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
