Trump Brings Up China Fentanyl Discussions With A New Working Group Following Tariff Reduction
Trump revives a new working group on drug cooperation and cuts fentanyl-related tariffs on China in half following discussions with Xi.
In exchange for Beijing’s agreement to join a new bilateral working group on the deadly synthetic opioid, President Donald Trump has agreed to reestablish official cooperation with China on reducing the supply of fentanyl, easing months of tension by cutting associated tariffs.
Trump reversed his earlier position that only harsh measures would push Beijing to act with the announcement of the deal, which came after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the new framework is not merely a diplomatic talking point but rather seeks to “deliver results.”
The action was praised by China, which called it a “consensus on counternarcotics cooperation.” Critics counter that there hasn’t been much advancement from these working groups in the past.
According to former National Security Council officer Henrietta Levin, “the administration has made major compromises by accepting a commitment to launch yet another working group.” “China has repeatedly made similar promises; it remains to be seen if this time will be different.”
Chinese authorities accuse Washington of exploiting the issue as leverage and maintain that they have already tightened regulations on precursor chemicals used to produce fentanyl. China “remains open to continued cooperation,” according to a statement from its embassy in Washington, but urged the US to establish “the necessary conditions” for advancement.
Vice President JD Vance, who once said that China only reacts to force, and other Republicans sharply criticized Trump’s reinstatement of massive tariffs, which caused the Biden-era fentanyl working group to disband earlier this year.
Trump’s most recent concession could put that hypothesis to the test. In order to enforce compliance, the administration continues to impose 10% duties on Chinese products associated with fentanyl, according to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Analysts caution that Trump may reinstate heavier tariffs if Beijing doesn’t follow through, endangering the tenuous trade truce and a possible April presidential visit to China.
Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, stated that tariffs are only effective as leverage if China abides by the agreement. “They will immediately rise again if they don’t.”
