Donald Trump presses Xi Jinping on fentanyl precursors ahead of Washington summit

US President Donald Trump has urged China to take stronger measures to curb the export of drug precursor chemicals, as the two nations prepare for a summit in Washington. This comes a week after security agencies from both countries reported progress in collaborating on counternarcotics law enforcement. The White House's annual list, which labels China as the world's leading producer of precursor chemicals used in illicit drug production, emphasizes the need for "more aggressive action" by China.

Trump cited new licensing requirements for exporting precursor chemicals to North America, implemented by China last year, but warned that criminals in China continue to find ways around the controls. The list, known as the Majors List, has been issued annually for nearly four decades and includes China along with other countries like India, Mexico, and Panama.

This year marks the first time China has appeared on the list since 2023, following an expanded definition of precursor chemicals. The upcoming summit on September 24 will be the second face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address cross-border drug trafficking and fentanyl production.