U.S. and China Clash Again Over Fentanyl and Tariffs at UN

At the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) annual meeting in Vienna, U.S. and Chinese representatives publicly clashed over fentanyl control and bilateral trade tariffs.

The U.S. accused China of insufficient control over fentanyl precursor chemicals, indirectly fueling illegal drug flows into the U.S., creating public health and safety risks. The U.S. also criticized China’s export controls on strategic materials like rare earths and steel, calling for greater transparency and market openness.

China strongly denied the U.S. claims, calling them “unfounded and irresponsible,” and accused the U.S. of politicizing the drug issue, abusing tariffs and sanctions, and interfering in China’s internal affairs. China emphasized that solving drug problems requires domestic control and international cooperation, not political or economic pressure.

This debate comes ahead of Trump’s planned visit to China later this month, with trade and tariff issues expected to be a key focus. Analysts say the meeting highlights differences between the U.S. and China on drug security and ongoing friction in economic policy, export controls, and international regulations, potentially affecting future bilateral cooperation and global supply chain stability.