U.S. Lawmakers Propose Legislation to Combat China’s Role in Fentanyl Crisis

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced three bills on Tuesday aimed at addressing China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis, targeting narcotics trafficking networks and setting the stage for sanctions on Chinese entities.

The bills focus on China’s involvement as the primary source of chemical precursors used by Mexican cartels to produce fentanyl. U.S. authorities also highlight the role of Chinese money launderers in facilitating the international drug trade.

One of the key bills, the CCP Fentanyl Sanctions Act, introduced by Democratic Representative Jake Auchincloss, would provide the U.S. with the authority to block Chinese companies, including ports, vessels, and online marketplaces, from accessing the U.S. banking system. This action targets those who “knowingly or recklessly” facilitate the shipment of illicit synthetic narcotics.

Auchincloss condemned China’s role, calling it “state-sponsored poisoning of the American people,” emphasizing that the crisis originates in China.

Two additional bills would establish a task force of U.S. agencies to conduct joint operations to disrupt fentanyl trafficking networks and impose civil penalties on Chinese entities involved in shipping narcotic precursors to the U.S.

There is growing consensus, particularly within Republican circles close to President-elect Donald Trump, that Beijing has exacerbated the opioid epidemic to harm Americans, a claim that China denies. Beijing maintains that it has some of the strictest drug laws in the world and that the U.S. must address domestic narcotics demand.

The proposed bills may need to be reintroduced next year after the new Congress is sworn in on January 3, due to the limited time left in the current congressional term.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the select committee, recently stated that it was “time to get tough” on China over fentanyl, calling for stronger measures to combat the ongoing crisis.