US Calls Out China For Being Primary Source of Illicit Lethal Drug Fentanyl That Killed 52,000 Americans in 12 Months

New Delhi: The United States has once again called out China, along with India, as major enablers of the illicit fentanyl crisis that has led to the deaths of more than 52,000 Americans over the past year. According to the Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) of the US intelligence community, released on Tuesday, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids continue to be the deadliest drugs trafficked into the United States.

The report states that transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) are often aided by state actors, specifically naming China and India as key sources of precursor chemicals and equipment used by criminal groups to produce fentanyl. 

The ongoing opioid epidemic in the US remains a national crisis. Between October 2023 and October 2024, fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, claimed the lives of over 52,000 Americans, highlighting the magnitude of the issue. 

"China remains the primary source country for illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill-pressing equipment, followed by India," the report reads. 

Trump Administration’s Ongoing Efforts to Combat the Fentanyl Epidemic

The report comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has made tackling the opioid crisis, especially fentanyl trafficking. Earlier this month, Trump declared that his administration would not rest until the fentanyl epidemic is eradicated in the US. 

As part of his ongoing efforts, Trump imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods in early February, citing China’s failure to take sufficient action against fentanyl trafficking. Additionally, 25% tariffs were imposed on Canada and Mexico for allegedly inadequate border enforcement. Trump has also threatened further retaliatory tariffs against countries, including India, as part of his "Liberation Day" tariffs set to take effect on April 2, 2025.

India however has denied any direct involvement in the illicit drug trade.