China’s Ministry of Commerce accuses Washington of ‘shifting the blame and shirking responsibility’ over opioid crisis.
China has warned the United States of “countermeasures” after US President Donald Trump announced he would impose new tariffs on Chinese goods in response to the smuggling of fentanyl.
On Thursday, Trump signaled an additional 10 percent duty on Chinese imports, while confirming that his proposed 25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods would proceed on March 4.
On Truth Social, Trump stated that the new tariff, which would be added to a 10 percent duty imposed on Chinese goods earlier this month, would take effect next month in response to the “very high and unacceptable levels” of fentanyl entering the US.
In a strong rebuttal on Friday, China’s Ministry of Commerce asserted that China’s drug laws are among the strictest in the world and accused Washington of “shifting the blame and shirking responsibility.”
“China urges the US not to repeat its mistakes and to return to the correct path of resolving disputes through equal dialogue as soon as possible,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
“If the US insists on proceeding with this course of action, China will take all necessary countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” the spokesperson added.
“We have repeatedly stated that unilateral tariffs violate World Trade Organization rules and undermine the multilateral trading system,” the spokesperson emphasized.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 74,000 people died from synthetic opioid overdoses in the US in 2023.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration reports that China is the primary source of precursor chemicals used to produce fentanyl trafficked by Mexican cartels.
Beijing has stated that it has collaborated with the US to address fentanyl supply issues, including adding fentanyl-related substances to its list of controlled drugs and engaging in “extensive, practical cooperation in the field of drug control.”
Stay updated with the latest news and insights by visiting our websites: ZTC News and Z News Today. Explore a wide range of stories and stay informed on current events!