Beijing: China on Tuesday stated that fentanyl is primarily a US problem, and it is Washington's responsibility to address it, as reported by state-run media. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasized that despite China's goodwill efforts, the US has imposed tariffs on Chinese imports under the guise of addressing the fentanyl issue.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lin Jian reiterated China's stance, asserting that the responsibility to resolve the fentanyl crisis lies with the United States. He pointed out that recent US actions have severely hindered bilateral cooperation on counter-narcotics and negatively impacted China's legitimate interests. Lin further stated that sincere collaboration would require the US to cease blaming China and shift towards dialogue rooted in mutual respect, equality, and reciprocity.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced that China had agreed to halt the fentanyl trade to the US. Trump has consistently accused China, along with Canada and Mexico, of facilitating fentanyl trafficking into the United States. In response, he imposed a 20% tariff on Chinese goods, citing the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the country as justification.

Washington has declared that these tariffs will persist until the implicated countries fully cooperate with the US in combatting drug trafficking. Previously, Trump attributed a significant portion of the drug supply to China, alleging that it contributed to over 100,000 deaths in the past year.