Opinion | Impact of a US-China breakthrough on the fentanyl crisis would transcend public health
- It would arrest the free fall in bilateral relations and show the world the two powers can still cooperate on transnational issues
- But first, both Beijing and Washington must effectively manage their domestic interests and internal politics
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent visit to Beijing saw discussions on many issues with Chinese leaders. One was the illicit trade in fentanyl, a lab-made opioid, abuse of which has reached crisis levels in the United States. I believe we are likely to see a breakthrough on this soon.
For the world economy to recover quickly and supply chains to function fully and smoothly again after the dreadful pandemic years, people all over the world urgently need to see that possibility to shore up confidence in investment and consumption.
To achieve a breakthrough in the fentanyl issue, an understanding of the societal issues and deep causes that influence policymakers is a prerequisite.
Various interest groups have formed in China since economic reforms started over 40 years ago. An entrenched political elite has a keen interest in maintaining the present political structure and its networks of power.
