In exchange for China's assistance in preventing the export of fentanyl-precursor chemicals to the United States, the Biden Administration lifts sanctions on China's Institute for Forensic Science. This measure by the U.S. administration signifies a significant shift in international policy towards the illicit drug issue.
"The CCP should fear the consequences of another ounce of fentanyl coming to the United States from their country – which is why I’m backing legislation to sanction any CCP official involved with producing & trafficking fentanyl precursors – not get a pass on human rights abuses.", said Ashley Hinson.
In order to understand this complex situation, we need to delve into recent history and decisions that led us here. In 2020, the United States put China’s Institute for Forensic Science, affiliated with the Ministry of Public Security, China's equivalent of the FBI, on the trade sanction list. The sanctions were imposed due to suspicions of the institute's involvement in purchasing equipment from the U.S., amid concerns that such equipment might be used to further target the Uyghur community. The predominantly Muslim Uyghur community residing in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has been subjected to forced labor, genocide and other brutalities by Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to Daily Mail.
This leads us into a significant event that marked a change in this policy dynamic. During his visit to the United States in week of Nov. 15, President Xi Jinping of China reached an agreement with Biden Administration. Chemical companies in China allegedly play a role in producing precursor chemicals sent to Mexico for illicit manufacturing of fentanyl which is then smuggled across border. Reported agreement includes lifting US sanctions contingent on China's commitment to collaborate halting flow of chemicals essential for fentanyl production into United States, according to NPR.
Further light is shed on this decision by a high-ranking official of the Department of State. "It became clear to us in conversations with the PRC dating back to the conversations that Secretary launched in June when he traveled to Beijing that continued listing of IFS on Commerce Entity List was barrier achieving cooperation stopping trafficking of precursor chemicals," said Matthew Miller, Department of State Spokesperson, according department press briefing. "It was high – it was top priority for Secretary and for President stop trafficking of precursor chemicals into – out China can be used produce fentanyl comes into United States. And so when we evaluated issue looked all merits delisting IFS ultimately we decided given steps China willing take cut down on precursor – precursor trafficking it was appropriate step take."
This decision has been met with diverging views within American political spheres. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), member of House Select Committee on CCP, backs Halt All Lethal Trafficking Fentanyl (HALT Fentanyl) Act which would "permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances (FRS) not otherwise scheduled into Schedule I Controlled Substances Act as class expedite research into fentanyl-related substances", according statement from President Biden's office.
To comprehend the severity of the situation fully, one needs to grasp the impact these drugs have had on society. Fentanyl substances which can be up 100 times more potent than morphine have emerged as primary cause death among adults aged 18-49 resulting in 75,000 fatalities last year. The overdose death rate associated with fentanyl US has almost quadrupled between 2016 and 2021 according Energy and Commerce.
