Overview
- A joint rule from China’s commerce, public security, emergency management, customs and medical products agencies took effect immediately and requires export licenses for shipments to the three countries.
- The move was announced after the leaders met in South Korea as part of an understanding under which President Trump reduced tariffs on Chinese goods from 20% to 10%.
- The listed chemicals remain licenseless for other destinations, prompting questions about whether trafficking networks could reroute supplies.
- Analysts note many precursors have legitimate industrial uses and can be labeled under alternate names, complicating efforts to block diversion.
- Reuters reported that FBI Director Kash Patel visited Beijing last week for discussions on fentanyl and law enforcement that were not officially announced.