Beijing is considering ways to address the Trump administration’s concerns about China’s role in the fentanyl trade, potentially providing an offramp from hostilities to allow trade talks to start, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
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Beijing is weighing options to address the Trump administration’s concerns over China’s involvement in the fentanyl trade, potentially paving the way for renewed trade negotiations, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
According to unnamed sources cited by the paper, China’s Minister for Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, has recently sought clarity on what the Trump administration expects from China regarding the regulation of chemical precursors used in fentanyl production.
The report indicated that one proposal under consideration involves Wang either traveling to the United States for talks with senior Trump officials or meeting them in a neutral location.
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However, the sources emphasized that the discussions are still in early stages, and China is hoping for a softening of Washington’s aggressive trade stance.
The report followed a statement from China’s Commerce Ministry, which said it was reviewing a U.S. offer to resume discussions over Trump’s 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, while cautioning Washington against using “extortion and coercion” in its approach.
Trump has linked the US trade war with China, which has roiled global markets and upended supply chains, to the fentanyl crisis killing large numbers of Americans.
Washington says Chinese chemical ma