China Imposes New Export Restrictions on Fentanyl Precursor Chemicals to North America

China Acts on Fentanyl Precursors Following U.S. Talks

Beijing, China – China announced new export restrictions on 13 'drug-making' chemicals destined for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, effective immediately. The Ministry of Commerce confirmed the new regulations on Monday, November 10, 2025, requiring permits for the export of these substances. This action follows a commitment made during recent talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump to address the global fentanyl crisis.

The agreement was a key outcome of a summit held in South Korea on October 31, 2025, where both leaders hailed a 'consensus' on tackling fentanyl, which is a leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.

Details of the New Export Controls

Under the new regulations, the export of 13 specific chemicals to the three North American nations now requires a permit. These chemicals are identified as key precursors used in the synthesis of fentanyl and its variants. Previously, China's regulatory framework for fentanyl precursors primarily focused on flows to countries like Myanmar, Laos, and Afghanistan, with a broader list of 41 chemicals under control. The inclusion of the United States, Canada, and Mexico in this stricter export control regime marks a significant expansion of China's efforts.

Context of the Fentanyl Crisis and Bilateral Negotiations

The decision by China comes amidst ongoing international pressure to curb the flow of illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals. The synthetic opioid has been responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths in the United States, with an estimated 48,422 lives lost in 2024, following 76,282 deaths in 2023 due to synthetic opioids.

The recent agreement between President Xi and President Trump also involved a reciprocal action from the U.S. side. In exchange for China's commitment to restrict these chemicals, President Trump formally halved U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods linked to the fentanyl crisis, reducing them from 20 percent to 10 percent, also effective November 10, 2025. This tariff reduction was a key incentive for Beijing's renewed cooperation on the issue.

Historical Cooperation and Future Outlook

Cooperation on fentanyl control has historically been a complex aspect of U.S.-China relations. During President Trump's first term, China took a significant step in 2019 by placing all fentanyl-related substances under regulatory control. However, cooperation had reportedly stalled during periods of heightened tensions between the two nations. The current announcement signals a renewed effort to collaborate on this critical public health and security issue. While the restrictions are a positive step, experts note that the challenge remains in controlling chemicals that have legitimate industrial uses but can also be diverted for illicit drug production.