Overview
- Kash Patel announced the agreement during remarks at the White House after a brief visit to Beijing focused on fentanyl precursor chemicals.
- Patel said his sole objective was eliminating precursors and argued the step would choke drug traffickers’ ability to manufacture fentanyl in Mexico.
- He asserted the change takes effect immediately and claimed it would shut off the pipeline and save lives, statements that have not been verified.
- Patel described meeting counterparts at China’s Ministry of Public Security and said they agreed on a plan to curb precursor production and distribution.
- Townhall reported the administration reduced fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese imports from 20% to 10% following President Trump’s engagement with President Xi.