John P. Walters, President and CEO of the Hudson Institute, alongside Senior Fellow Tod Lindberg, have expressed concerns about the efficacy of the recent agreement between the Biden Administration and China to combat the fentanyl overdose epidemic. In their commentary piece released on November 29, they argue that this effort will prove insufficient due to the extensive opioid crisis and China's purportedly deceptive strategy to weaken the United States.
John P. Walters holds a distinguished position as President and CEO of the Hudson Institute. His professional biography details his service as Chief Operating Officer from 2009 to 2020, where he supervised research staff and operations. He also served as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy from 2001 to 2009, during which time he notably influenced federal drug policy and programs. His tenure saw a significant 25% reduction in teen drug use while addressing substance abuse treatment and drug availability within U.S borders.
Tod Lindberg brings his expertise in national security to bear in his role at the Hudson Institute. His biography reveals an accomplished background in policy with roles spanning academia, editorship at Policy Review, and participation in various research groups. Lindberg has concentrated on numerous issues including international cooperation on genocide prevention to visions for future global order. Within Hudson Institute's scope of study, his focus areas include human rights, national security and defense, politics and government along with foreign policy.
As reported by Federal Newswire, President Joe Biden met with China's President Xi Jinping on November 15 in San Francisco intending to strategize measures against America's escalating fentanyl crisis. As quoted during this meeting Biden stated: "we seek to reduce the flow of precursor chemicals and pill presses fueling the fentanyl crisis." The resolution agreed upon by both leaders aims at mitigating chemical influx into America via Mexican drug cartels.
Walters and Lindberg however presented a more critical perspective towards this meeting asserting that Xi gave "false promises." They underscored China's perceived lack of commitment to cooperative efforts with the United States. Fentanyl, they remind us, claims nearly 150 lives daily due to overdoses. Both authors went on to say: "Killing and addicting Americans is an obvious and intentional attack on the United States by the Chinese Communist Party and its collaborators." This synthetic opioid, initially developed for severe cancer pain relief, now finds itself illicitly blended by drug traffickers with substances such as cocaine and opioids resulting in dangerously potent and often lethal combinations that surpass heroin's strength up to fifty times.
Despite China's arguments stating control over fentanyl precursor flow presents challenges due to its geographical vastness, Walters and Lindberg dismiss this explanation as unfounded. They reference extensive Chinese spying operations within the United States as a counterargument. According to these authors, it is probable that China has undercover police operations underway within the United States. As Xi presides over a single-party state, he wields enough power to prevent this opioid crisis if he chose to. However, both authors dispute this intention on China's part and criticize Biden Administration alongside other U.S leaders for allegedly overlooking this.
