Trump claims China makes money on fentanyl yet suffers from US tariffs

When asked by a reporter whether there is evidence that China is currently smuggling fentanyl through Venezuela to bypass US and Mexican port controls, Trump replied that they indeed are.

“But they are paying right now 20% tariff because of fentanyl. That's billions of dollars that they are paying,” he noted.

The US president reminded that starting November 1, new tariffs of 157% will take effect against China, which, according to Trump, will be unbearable for Beijing.

At the same time, he noted that he does not want China to face this tariff, so he intends to meet with Xi Jinping to discuss a range of key issues.

“We have some big issues, and if you think about it, they make $100 million, think about this, they make $100 million selling fentanyl into our country. 100 million. They lose $100 billion with a 20% tariff. It's not a good business proposition,” he said.

Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Donald Trump outlined key demands for China before resuming trade negotiations.

He is demanding that China stop exporting fentanyl, resume purchases of American soybeans, and cease manipulating rare earth metal supplies.

Separately, the US president emphasized the need to prevent fentanyl and its precursors from entering the American market, accusing China of insufficient control over the export of chemical components that contribute to the opioid crisis in the US.

Tensions between the two countries sharply increased after the US announced 100% tariffs on Chinese goods starting on November 1, along with additional technological restrictions.

In response, China promised strict export controls on strategic metals, including rare earth elements.