The United States’ Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) report has named China and India as ‘state actors’ facilitating the supply of precursor chemicals used in illicit fentanyl production.
The report specifically highlights China as the primary source of fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill-pressing equipment followed by India.
“A range of cyber and intelligence actors are targeting our wealth, critical infrastructure, telecom, and media. Nonstate groups are often enabled, both directly and indirectly, by state actors, such as China and India as sources of precursors and equipment for drug traffickers,” the report said.
“China remains the primary source country for illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill pressing equipment, followed by India,” according to the report.
During the committee hearing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe highlighted China’s sporadic efforts to control the flow of precursor chemicals contributing to the US fentanyl crisis, citing its unwillingness to regulate profitable Chinese enterprises.
The Trump administration has imposed a 20% tariff increase on Chinese imports, citing Beijing’s failure to curb fentanyl-related shipments. While China denies any involvement in the fentanyl crisis, which remains the leading cause of US drug overdose deaths, the issue has become a significant source of diplomatic tension between the two nations.
