China Expands Export Controls on Chemicals Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting
Beijing tightens regulations on precursor chemicals used in illegal drug manufacturing, impacting exports to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
China announced Tuesday that it is now requiring permits for exports to the United States, Mexico, and Canada of two additional chemicals that can be used to make illegal drugs. This move expands existing controls on shipments to the three North American countries.
The regulations were jointly announced by the Commerce Ministry and other authorities, ahead of a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. With these additions, the number of chemicals under export control has risen to 18.
The U.S. has identified China as the world's largest producer of many precursor chemicals utilized in the illicit manufacturing of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other potent synthetic drugs. Washington has repeatedly urged Beijing to implement more robust measures to curb the flow of unregulated precursor chemicals.
In November 2025, Beijing initially announced export restrictions on 13 "drug-making" chemicals destined for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. These included chemicals vital for producing the synthetic opioid linked to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually in the United States. Subsequently, in May, China added three more types of fentanyl-related precursors to this list. These measures followed earlier meetings between Xi and Trump in South Korea in October 2025 and Beijing in May.
Previously, China faced a fentanyl-related tariff imposed by the U.S. In response, Beijing released a report in March 2025 detailing its efforts to control the illegal trade of fentanyl. China's foreign minister had criticized the U.S. for responding to gestures of goodwill with tariffs. The U.S. Supreme Court later invalidated that tariff in February.