China"s role in US fentanyl crisis: a growing threat to families

A recent report by the Heritage Foundation highlights the significant role of China in exacerbating the fentanyl crisis in the United States, which has resulted in approximately 75,000 American deaths in 2023 alone. The report emphasizes the collaboration between Chinese authorities and Mexican drug cartels, noting that while the Mexican involvement is well-documented, the extent of Chinese support remains largely unrecognized by the public. The authors assert that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is actively involved in funding and facilitating the production of fentanyl precursors, undermining claims of limited control over illegal activities. The report details how the CCP subsidizes the manufacturing and export of these precursors, with a tax rebate program that incentivizes their export. This situation is compounded by insufficient regulatory oversight in China's pharmaceutical chemical manufacturing sector, leading to a lack of accountability for the shipments. The authors also point to the increasing involvement of Chinese networks in Canada, further complicating the crisis. Despite efforts by the Biden administration to combat the fentanyl epidemic through enhanced treatment access and sanctions against involved entities, the report warns that these measures may not be effective. The authors argue that China's historical pattern of using negotiations to gain concessions from the U.S. suggests that the current diplomatic efforts may not yield substantial results. The report concludes that the U.S. must recognize the lack of good-faith partners in both China and Mexico and calls for intelligence agencies to expose Chinese involvement in trafficking. It advocates for reshoring pharmaceutical supply chains and increasing penalties for financial institutions to mitigate the ongoing threat posed by the fentanyl crisis.