Overview
- Reuters reported that FBI Director Kash Patel flew to Beijing last week for about a day of talks on fentanyl and law enforcement in a visit not announced by either side.
- China’s Commerce Ministry said 13 drug-making chemicals now face export restrictions and export licenses for shipments to the United States, Canada and Mexico.
- The U.S. reduced fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese goods from 20% to 10% effective Nov. 10 under understandings reached in last month’s Trump–Xi meeting.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said implementation details will be handled by a new bilateral working group, but officials have not outlined its remit or timing.
- The newly restricted substances have legitimate industrial uses and do not face identical licensing for other destinations, and much illicit fentanyl is manufactured in Mexico.