WASHINGTON (AP) — China is fueling the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. by directly subsidizing the manufacturing of materials that are used by traffickers to make the drug outside the country, according to a report released Tuesday by a special House committee focused on countering the Chinese government.
Committee investigators said they accessed a government website that revealed tax rebates for the production of specific fentanyl precursors as well as other synthetic drugs as long as those companies sell them outside of China.
“Through its actions, as our report has revealed, the Chinese Communist Party is telling us that it wants more fentanyl entering our country,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, the Republican chairman of the special House committee. “It wants the chaos and devastation that has resulted from the epidemic.”
In November, President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a resumption of bilateral cooperation on counternarcotics with a focus on reducing the flow of precursor chemicals and synthetic drug trafficking. But the congressional report raises questions about whether China is following through.
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
IAEA chief stresses further monitoring of Fukushima nuke wastewater discharge
UK cuts national insurance contributions for workers in spring budget
Sri Lankan navy apprehends 12 Indian fishermen for poaching
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Ojeda, Fernández, Freese carry NYCFC to 2
Mexico's president accuses U.S. of stirring mudslinging in media
Food for Gaza plan unveiled in Italy to coordinate int'l humanitarian aid
Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk
Sri Lanka extends demining body's tenure for landmine free nation
College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at
Runway at Tokyo's Haneda Airport reopens after aircraft collision