Story perspectives

China Adds Two Fentanyl Precursors to Export Controls

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 4:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

China Adds Export Controls

China added two chemicals to its export control list, requiring permits for shipments to the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The addition raises the total number of controlled precursor chemicals to eighteen.
China issued guidelines that split fentanyl substances into medicinal and non-pharmaceutical categories and set investigation criteria.
The measures were announced before President Xi Jinping’s summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

Summary

Xi Breaks Tradition

Xi Jinping’s September visit will include a runway reception at Joint Base Andrews, breaking tradition.
U.S. and Chinese officials held New York trade talks and pledged dialogue on artificial intelligence.
Leaders will tour Beijing’s Temple of Heaven on May 14, a rare joint cultural stop.
$14 billion Taiwan arms sale may be postponed until after the Shenzhen APEC meeting.
Ranking member Ro Khanna urged an international AI-lab inspection regime ahead of the talks.

History

Historical Context

Since the mid-2010s the United States has labeled China the main source of illicit fentanyl, prompting diplomatic pressure that led to China scheduling all fentanyl-type drugs in May 2019. In November 2023 President Biden and President Xi agreed to tighten controls on precursor chemicals, a step echoed by U.S. lawmakers citing that roughly 98 % of fentanyl entering the U.S. originates from Mexican cartels supplied by Chinese chemicals.

1 of 3

China Adds Export Controls

China added two chemicals to its export control list, requiring permits for shipments to the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The addition raises the total number of controlled precursor chemicals to eighteen.
China issued guidelines that split fentanyl substances into medicinal and non-pharmaceutical categories and set investigation criteria.
The measures were announced before President Xi Jinping’s summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

1 / 3