China says it will make adjustments to the catalogue of drug-related precursor chemicals and will require licences for export of certain chemicals to the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The country’s Commerce Ministry made the announcement on Monday. The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump halving the tariffs on Chinese goods that were imposed as a punishment over the flow of fentanyl to 10%. This change came after President Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea 30 October.
Xi will work "very hard to stop the flow" of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths, Trump told reporters after the talks.
The deal signalled a shift for Trump officials, who had insisted that punitive measures would remain in place until China proved it was cracking down on fentanyl supply chains.
Chinese officials vehemently defend their record on fentanyl, saying they have already taken extensive action to regulate precursor chemicals used to make the drug and accuse Washington of using the issue as "blackmail."
Meeting in South Korea
The Xi-Trump deal went beyond fentanyl and included the resumption of U.S. soybean purchases by China.
Beijing agreed to pause export curbs unveiled in October on rare earths, elements with vital roles in many modern technologies.
FBI in Beijing
Meanwhile, the Federation Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel visited China last week to discuss fentanyl and law enforcement issues according to two people familiar with his trip said.
A person briefed on Patel's trip said the FBI director flew into Beijing on Friday and stayed for about a day. He held talks with Chinese officials on Saturday, the person added.
Patel's visit to Beijing was not officially announced by either the U.S. or China and is being reported by Reuters for the first time.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that he was not aware of the trip. China's Ministry of Public Security and the U.S. embassy in Beijing did not respond to requests for comment.
Tens of millions of people in urgent need of help won't be getting much assistance next year. That's according to the United Nations which launched a ...
Emergency crews were deployed to the northeastern Ukrainian city of Okhtyrka on Monday morning after a residential high-rise was devastated by a Russi...
Nigerian authorities says they've rescued a 100 children after gunmen abducted 303 pupils and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in Papiri on 21 Novem...
Following a high-level meeting of the Communist Party leadership on Monday, state media confirmed that China will seek to insulate its economy from ex...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 8th of December, covering the latest developments you need to ...
Tens of millions of people in urgent need of help won't be getting much assistance next year. That's according to the United Nations which launched a $23 billion aid appeal on Monday (8 December) which is half of last year's request, acknowledging a plunge in donor funding.
Emergency crews were deployed to the northeastern Ukrainian city of Okhtyrka on Monday morning after a residential high-rise was devastated by a Russian drone barrage, leaving several civilians wounded as the conflict approaches the end of its fourth year.
Following a high-level meeting of the Communist Party leadership on Monday, state media confirmed that China will seek to insulate its economy from external volatility by turning inward, pledging to "keep expanding domestic demand" through a suite of "more proactive" policies.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 8th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A coup attempt by a “small group of soldiers” has been foiled in Benin after hours of gunfire struck parts of the economic capital Cotonou, officials said on Sunday.
A delayed local vote in the rural Honduran town of San Antonio de Flores has become a pivotal moment in the country’s tightest presidential contest, with both campaigns watching its results as counting stretches into a second week.
FIFA releases the 2026 World Cup schedule with match dates, venues, and key fixtures. See when host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada play and get an overview of group stage and knockout rounds.
Lava fountains shot from Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano from dawn to dusk on Saturday, with new footage showing intensifying activity at the north vent.
McLaren’s Lando Norris became Formula One world champion for the first time in Abu Dhabi, edging Max Verstappen to the title by just two points after a tense season finale.
Tens of millions of people in urgent need of help won't be getting much assistance next year. That's according to the United Nations which launched a $23 billion aid appeal on Monday (8 December) which is half of last year's request, acknowledging a plunge in donor funding.
Emergency crews were deployed to the northeastern Ukrainian city of Okhtyrka on Monday morning after a residential high-rise was devastated by a Russian drone barrage, leaving several civilians wounded as the conflict approaches the end of its fourth year.
Nigerian authorities says they've rescued a 100 children after gunmen abducted 303 pupils and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in Papiri on 21 November.
Following a high-level meeting of the Communist Party leadership on Monday, state media confirmed that China will seek to insulate its economy from external volatility by turning inward, pledging to "keep expanding domestic demand" through a suite of "more proactive" policies.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 8th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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