US and China Agree to Crack Down on Fentanyl Production

China warns companies against selling fentanyl precursors, while the US lifts sanctions on a Chinese institute as part of the deal.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have agreed to crack down on fentanyl production, with China pledging to regulate fentanyl precursors in the country.
China's Office of the National Narcotics Control Commission has warned Chinese companies against selling equipment and precursor chemicals that could be used to produce the opioid overseas.
The US has lifted sanctions on the Chinese Ministry of Public Security’s Institute of Forensic Science as part of the arrangement.
Despite these steps, experts warn that the deal is unlikely to significantly reduce the presence of fentanyl on US streets due to the complexity of the international drug trade.
China and the US have also agreed to establish a working group to expand counter-narcotics cooperation.