Trump Administration Urges China to Seek Death Penalty for Some Illegal Fentanyl Suppliers
The Trump administration is urging China to impose its toughest possible sentences, including the death penalty where applicable, on individuals accused of supplying chemicals used to manufacture illegal fentanyl for criminal organizations in North America.
The request comes after China arrested 21 Chinese citizens in August for allegedly manufacturing and distributing precursor chemicals to illicit drug producers. The arrests were made using information provided by U.S. law enforcement, according to the White House.
Fentanyl was a major subject during President Trump’s recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. The administration has repeatedly pressed Beijing to crack down on Chinese companies and individuals accused of supplying precursor chemicals that are ultimately used by criminal organizations to manufacture fentanyl.
China has recently taken several additional steps targeting the illicit fentanyl trade. Beijing added two more chemicals to its export-control system, requiring permits before they can be shipped to the United States, Mexico or Canada.
Chinese authorities also introduced tougher guidelines for prosecuting fentanyl-related crimes. The new rules establish sentencing standards for offenses involving the smuggling, trafficking, manufacturing and illegal possession of fentanyl-related substances.
Under Chinese law, some serious drug offenses can already result in the death penalty. The Trump administration is now encouraging Beijing to pursue maximum sentences against individuals involved in supplying fentanyl precursor chemicals when those penalties are legally available.
China has also moved to control a class of synthetic opioids known as orphines and has pledged to increase investigations into illegal chemical distribution. The United States has encouraged China to permanently schedule additional substances that can be used by criminal organizations to produce synthetic narcotics.
The fentanyl crisis has killed tens of thousands of Americans annually, although overdose deaths have fallen substantially from their peak. U.S. officials have continued to focus on disrupting the international supply chains that provide Mexican cartels and other criminal organizations with the chemicals needed to manufacture the drug.
The latest developments represent another area of cooperation between Washington and Beijing following Trump and Xi’s meetings. While major disagreements between the two countries remain, the administration is continuing to push China for stronger enforcement against companies and individuals connected to the illegal fentanyl supply chain.