In a significant development, Chinese President Xi Jinping has dispatched Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong to Switzerland for high-level trade negotiations with the United States. This move underscores Beijing’s acknowledgment of the fentanyl crisis as a critical issue in ongoing tariff discussions with the Trump administration.
The Chinese delegation, led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, is meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The inclusion of Wang, China‘s top security official, indicates a willingness to address U.S. concerns over China’s role in the fentanyl trade. Previously, Chinese officials had accused the U.S. of using the fentanyl problem as a pretext to escalate tariffs. Now, the Chinese government appears to recognize the need for cooperative gestures in response to significant American concerns.
Sources indicate that the Chinese delegation has received a clear list outlining steps the Trump administration expects Beijing to take on fentanyl. These recommendations reportedly include stricter law enforcement measures targeting domestic suppliers of fentanyl precursor chemicals and harsher penalties for criminal organizations involved in narcotics trafficking.
President Donald Trump, who imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods partly due to China’s connection with the fentanyl crisis, has expressed openness to lowering tariffs to 80%, contingent on China’s cooperation. He emphasized the importance of China opening its markets to the U.S., stating that closed markets are no longer viable.
The outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact both trade relations and efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis. While a comprehensive agreement may not be immediate, the talks represent a critical step toward addressing these pressing issues.
