The US and China have shaped a working group to cooperate on stopping the circulate of fentanyl and different artificial opioids. The transfer comes in opposition to a backdrop of the 2 superpowers weathering disputes on commerce, safety and human rights.
Officials from each international locations met in Beijing on Tuesday to debate the difficulty.
US Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal spoke along with her Chinese counterpart. She stated, “President Biden despatched such a big delegation to underscore the significance of this situation to the American individuals.”
Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong stated, “We hope each side will proceed to work collectively in numerous fields based mostly on strong counternarcotic cooperation, whereas accommodating one another’s considerations.”
Fentanyl overdoses have grow to be a number one reason behind dying amongst younger individuals within the US. The drug is regarded as accountable for about 100,000 deaths per yr.
Biden has known as the disaster an “American tragedy.” He and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed final yr to attempt to cease the manufacturing and export of the drug.
US officers consider China is the first supply of the chemical substances used to fabricate fentanyl. Drug cartels in Mexico use these substances to make the ultimate product, and officers are additionally placing strain on the Mexican authorities to cease the circulate.