Opinion

Impact of a US-China breakthrough on the fentanyl crisis would transcend public health

It would arrest the free fall in bilateral relations and show the world the two powers can still cooperate on transnational issues

But first, both Beijing and Washington must effectively manage their domestic interests and internal politics

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US Attorney General Merrick Garland announces actions to disrupt the fentanyl precursor supply chain at the Justice Department in Washington on June 23. The department has arrested two people and unsealed indictments charging companies based in China and their employees with crimes related to fentanyl production, distribution and sales resulting from precursor chemicals. Photo: EPA-EFE

Dong Lei is an independent observer of Chinese politics and history, with a particular interest in China’s evolving role in global affairs.

Published: 1:00am, 4 Jul 2023

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent visit to Beijing saw discussions on many issues with Chinese leaders. One was the illicit trade in fentanyl, a lab-made opioid, abuse of which has reached crisis levels in the United States. I believe we are likely to see a breakthrough on this soon.

I can see Beijing increasing its cooperation with US government agencies on controlling precursor chemicals being exported from China. This would be a good step towards improving trust between two of the world’s largest economies in addition to helping combat serious healthcare and crime issues.

It would also show the world that guardrails are possible against a dangerous free-fall in US-China relations. When the relationship has reached its lowest point in over half a century, such steps are crucial.

For the world economy to recover quickly and supply chains to function fully and smoothly again after the dreadful pandemic years, people all over the world urgently need to see that possibility to shore up confidence in investment and consumption.