Beijing fires back at Washington for imposing tariffs after citing uncontrolled flow of fentanyl

China has slammed the United States' decision of imposing tariffs, which it argued was motivated by the problems arising from fentanyl import, by calling Washington to address the fentanyl issue objectively and rationally, rather than resorting to such threats.

This statement was issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the US decision to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, Caliber.Az reports. 

Beijing's spokesperson points out that China is one of the "world’s toughest countries on counternarcotics", recalling that Beijing has offered support to the US in response to their fentanyl crisis "in the spirit of humanity and goodwill". 

The statement went on to highlight a 2019 decision in which Beijing, upon Washington's request, officially scheduled fentanyl-related substances as a class, noting that it was the first country in the world to do so. 

"The achievements we have made [on this issue] are there for all to see. The US needs to view and solve its own fentanyl issue in an objective and rational way instead of threatening other countries with arbitrary tariff hikes," the Chinese foreign ministry fired back. 

Furthermore, the spokesperson urged Washington to "correct its mistakes, preserve the hard-won momentum in drug cooperation, and contribute to the stable and healthy development of China-US relations."

As Caliber.Az recalls, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing long-threatened tariffs on goods from Canada, China, and Mexico on February 1. In his announcement, Trump said the move was "to hold China, Mexico, and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the United States."

Tariffs of 25% will be applied to imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian energy resources), while an additional 10% tariff will be imposed on Chinese goods. These measures will take effect on February 4. Canada, China, and Mexico account for one-third of all goods and services imported by the United States.

Canada and Mexico reacted equally appalled by the decision, with Canadian media reporting that outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to immediately respond with "retaliatory tariffs on a whole host of American goods."

By Nazrin Sadigova