Overview
- FBI Director Kash Patel said China designated 13 fentanyl precursors and agreed to place seven chemical subsidiaries under new controls, effective immediately.
- China’s Ministry of Commerce added 13 chemicals to an export-license list for shipments to the United States, Mexico, and Canada, described as implementing the recent Trump–Xi agreement.
- Patel disclosed an unannounced visit to Beijing to meet Ministry of Public Security counterparts and said the objective was to halt the flow of precursor chemicals.
- President Trump reduced fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese imports from 20% to 10% after his meeting with Xi, framing the step as part of securing cooperation on narcotics control.
- The FBI reports seizing 1,900 kilograms of fentanyl so far this year, up 31% from last November, while experts warn the real impact will depend on enforcement across China’s chemical industry.