As per reports, the US House of Representatives recently approved multiple bills aimed at addressing Chinese competition and influence. One of the bills, titled "Stop Chinese Fentanyl," focuses on the accountability of Chinese officials concerning the distribution of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in the United States.

This opioid-related bill redefines the term "foreign opioid trafficker" within a fentanyl sanctions law that was enacted in 2019. The revised definition now encompasses Chinese entities and government officials who do not take necessary measures to prevent opioid trafficking. The passage of this bill signals the US government's efforts to tackle the issue of opioid abuse and its connection to Chinese sources.

“The Chinese Communist Party plays a prominent role in every step of the fentanyl crisis, from producing precursor chemicals to transferring expertise to laundering cartel profits who illegally traffic it into the United States,” said the bill’s sponsor, Representative Andy Barr, a Kentucky Republican and member of the House select committee on China.

As per reports, the US House of Representatives voted on several bipartisan bills, including one targeting Chinese involvement in the fentanyl trade. The vote comes amid ongoing discussions between the US and China regarding a potential deal on fentanyl. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the White House is contemplating lifting sanctions on a Chinese police forensics institute to secure Beijing's cooperation in countering narcotics.

Drug control talks were revived between the two nations before Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China in June. During the visit, Blinken emphasized synthetic opioids as a "priority" and discussed the possibility of establishing a working group to address the issue. However, China has pushed back against US efforts to prosecute and sanction Chinese individuals and manufacturers allegedly involved in fentanyl precursor trafficking. Additionally, China has not accepted the US invitation to join a global coalition focused on combating synthetic drug threats, which began this month.

While China had been considered the primary source of fentanyl entering the US until 2019, stricter export controls were imposed by Beijing at the US's request. Despite this, US officials claim that China remains the main source of key ingredients, with the final production stage largely shifted to countries like Mexico, facilitating smuggling into the US.

In addition to the bill targeting Chinese involvement in the fentanyl trade, the House passed two other bills. One directs the US State Department to report on China's efforts to undermine Taiwan in international organizations, while the other requires SelectUSA, a federal initiative aimed at attracting foreign business investment, to collaborate with states to boost investment in semiconductor manufacturing.

“We face unprecedented health and security threats here in the United States and abroad and Taiwan’s distinct capabilities, public health expertise, democratic governance and advanced technology underscore the need for this legislation,” said Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat who sponsored the Taiwan International Solidarity Act.

For the bills to become law, they must first pass the Senate and then be signed by US President Joe Biden. At present, the Senate is engaged in deliberations over the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual and crucial Pentagon bill. The current version of the NDAA includes over 120 mentions related to Taiwan and China.

Image source: The ET