Overview
- FBI Director Kash Patel said China designated all 13 precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl and agreed to place seven chemical subsidiaries under new controls, effective immediately.
- China’s Commerce Ministry this week required export licenses for the 13 substances when shipped to the United States, Mexico and Canada.
- Patel said he traveled to Beijing at President Trump’s direction following the Oct. 30 meeting with President Xi Jinping.
- Trump reduced fentanyl‑related tariffs on Chinese imports from 20% to 10% following the talks that led to the controls.
- Patel reported FBI seizures of 1,900 kilograms of fentanyl so far this year, a 31% increase from last November, while outside experts caution that past Chinese pledges saw uneven enforcement.