Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, are set to announce an agreement that would see Beijing crackdown on the manufacture and export of fentanyl, according to people familiar with the matter, potentially delivering the U.S. president a major victory.
Under the deal — which is still being finalized — China would go after chemical companies to stem the flow of both fentanyl and the source material used to make the deadly synthetic opioid, according to the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the agreement.
In return, the Biden administration would lift restrictions on China’s forensic police institute, the people said, an entity the U.S. alleges is responsible for human rights abuses.
The agreement, set to be announced Wednesday when Biden and Xi meet in San Francisco on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, would mark a win for the White House on an issue voters say is a priority for the 2024 election.
Republicans have assailed the administration over its handling of fentanyl trafficking, turning it into a liability for Biden’s chances of winning a second term.
A White House National Security Council spokeswoman declined to comment. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“We’re hoping to see some progress on that issue this coming week,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters Monday. “That could then open the door to further cooperation on other issues where we aren’t just managing things but we’re actually delivering tangible results.”
