At a routine press briefing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson slammed recent U.S. tariffs on goods linked to fentanyl production as a blow to bilateral anti-drug efforts.
Spokesperson Lin Jian said Washington's move "ignores China's goodwill" and shifts blame for an opioid crisis that the Chinese mainland has long argued originates on U.S. soil. "Fentanyl is a problem for the United States, not China," Lin insisted, urging the U.S. to take responsibility.
According to Lin, imposing duties on chemicals associated with fentanyl manufacture has "severely undermined bilateral anti-drug dialogue and cooperation" and harmed China's interests. He called on the U.S. to stop "smearing and shifting blame" and to approach future talks with equality, respect and mutual benefit.
The spat over U.S. duties arrives as transnational coordination becomes ever more crucial. With both sides trading barbs, can political tensions be set aside to forge an effective partnership against the global fentanyl threat?
Reference(s):
China says U.S. tariffs over fentanyl undermine anti-drug cooperation
cgtn.com
