Since the beginning of this year, the United States has imposed an additional 20% tariff on Chinese goods, alleging that China is “purchasing and allowing the illegal distribution of fentanyl into the U.S., leading to the deaths of tens of millions of Americans.” Seriously violating WTO rules, such practice is set to disrupt the stability of global production and supply chains and increase global economic uncertainty.
The U.S. has turned a blind eye to its own severe incompetence in drug control and has instead weaponized the drug issue in international politics. This approach is akin to forcing others to take your own medicine—ridiculous and ineffective. To uncover the true nature of the U.S. fentanyl lies, let’s examine two direct comparisons.
Comparison of fentanyl control: who is allowing it to run wild, and who is taking strict action?
The drug problem in the United States proves to be a severe disaster. According to statistics from the International Narcotics Control Board, Americans, who make up 5% of the world’s population, consume 80% of the world’s opioids. The increasingly serious abuse of fentanyl in the U.S. is due to the country’s long-standing drug culture, the profit-driven pharmaceutical industry, and inadequate social governance.
Nevertheless, the U.S. government has yet to permanently classify fentanyl and related substances under strict control. Instead of strengthening domestic drug regulation and improving the social environment in response to the growing fentanyl abuse crisis, some American politicians shift the blame onto other countries, using this as a pretext to threaten and pressure other nations in an attempt to divert domestic contradictions and cover up their own governance failures.
In contrast, China has always had a “zero-tolerance” policy towards drugs, making it the most resolute, thorough, and successful country in the world in terms of drug control. In 2019, China became the first country in the world to classify fentanyl as a controlled substance, establishing a regulatory system that covers all stages, including production, distribution, transportation, use, imports and exports. At the same time, China has actively engaged in drug control cooperation with many countries, including the U.S., and international organizations, playing an important role in responding to new global challenges in drug control. The highly responsible actions taken by China have benefited people worldwide.
Comparison of trade policies: who is engaging in trade bullying, and who is promoting open cooperation?
The U.S. government, using fentanyl as an excuse, has imposed tariffs on Chinese products. The true objective is not to combat drug trafficking, but to reduce trade deficit, address domestic economic issues, and curb China’s development. The U.S. trade stick is not only aimed at China, but also at Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. Trade bullying of this kind harms the interests of countries around the world, hampers global economic development, and fuels inflation within the U.S., which directly affects American consumers.
In response to U.S. tariff pressure, China has taken firm and reasonable countermeasures and resorted to the WTO dispute resolution mechanism, using international rules to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. At the same time, China continues to promote high-level opening up, sharing development opportunities with countries around the world. So far, China has signed 23 free trade agreements with 30 countries and regions, including New Zealand, with free trade partners spanning across five continents.
China does not seek a trade surplus, and moreover, it has actively expanded imports. China has hosted the China International Import Expo for seven consecutive years, and its import scale has ranked second in the world for many years. China’s overall tariff level has been reduced to 7.3%, one of the lowest globally, and it provides 100% tariff-free treatment on products from all least-developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China. China has always believed that in the context of globalization, countries should tackle challenges through dialogue and cooperation, jointly expanding and improving the “cake” of economic globalization.
The root cause of the fentanyl crisis lies in the U.S., rather than China. The U.S. government has politicized and weaponized the fentanyl issue. While initiating a trade war against China, it expects China to pay for its domestic problems—this is nothing but a delusion. If the U.S. truly wants to solve the problem, it should treat its own illness instead of forcing others to take the medicine. Otherwise, it will only present the world with an image of a dysfunctional and bullying U.S.
We hope that New Zealand friends can see through the true nature of the U.S. fentanyl lies, stand with China, uphold righteousness, seize the trends of the times, defend international fairness and justice, and safeguard global peace and prosperity. – Shijie Chen, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland
