Staff Reports
President Biden, in a meeting at the White House, expressed his satisfaction with the progress China has made in stopping shipments of fentanyl ingredients to Mexico. According to Biden, China successfully halted direct shipments of fentanyl in 2019 but the problem has since shifted to the trafficking of precursor chemicals and pill presses. However, he assured the public that China is taking steps to address this new challenge.
Biden says China is starting to follow through on fentanyl pledge, though ‘we’re going to verify’https://t.co/q0zqBupME3 pic.twitter.com/VSWs0EpfLo
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 22, 2023
During a recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden received a commitment that Chinese companies involved in illicit fentanyl shipments would face consequences. Additionally, both countries agreed to establish a working group to combat the illegal trafficking of these chemicals. Biden emphasized the importance of verification to ensure that China follows through on their promises.
Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, has contributed to a rise in overdose deaths and has infiltrated various drugs and counterfeit pills. It remains a significant issue for the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations, with tens of thousands of Americans dying each year. This crisis has led to growing pressure on Biden, particularly as he seeks re-election.
Biden highlighted the need for global action, acknowledging that the fentanyl problem extends beyond U.S. borders. He credited his administration’s efforts in expanding drug abuse treatment and providing overdose-reversing drugs to address the crisis. Furthermore, Biden announced that China has committed to cracking down on the production of pill presses used to insert fentanyl into counterfeit pills.
In Congress, discussions are ongoing regarding measures to combat the flow of deadly drugs. Democrats are advocating for enhanced screening at ports of entry, while Republicans place emphasis on improving security at the U.S.-Mexico border. Some lawmakers are pushing for stricter penalties for fentanyl traffickers. Biden called on Congress to permanently classify fentanyl as a Schedule I drug, the most severely controlled category, but differences over mandatory minimum criminal penalties have hindered progress.
While former President Trump called for the death penalty for fentanyl dealers during his campaign, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis even suggested shooting fentanyl traffickers attempting to cross into the U.S., Democrats have praised Biden’s diplomatic approach as a positive outcome for all nations involved.
