Trump Plans to Confront Xi Jinping Over Fentanyl Smuggling Through Venezuela — Warns of Record 157% Tariffs on China - Punjabi News

Published on: 24 Oct 2025 at 08:27 AM

Trump Plans to Confront Xi Jinping Over Fentanyl Smuggling Through Venezuela — Warns of Record 157% Tariffs on China

Published by: Gill Bikram

Trump Plans to Confront Xi Jinping Over Fentanyl Smuggling Through Venezuela — Warns of Record 157% Tariffs on China

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused China of using Venezuela as a transit route to smuggle fentanyl into the United States, bypassing American and Mexican port security. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said his first question to Chinese President Xi Jinping during their upcoming meeting would be about this issue — a topic he believes could spark a new diplomatic controversy.

“I’m going to meet President Xi. My first question will be about fentanyl,” Trump said. “They make $100 million by selling fentanyl in our country. But because of the 20% tariff, they lose about $100 billion — not a good deal for them. They’re paying a big penalty for it. Next week, we’ll see what happens when I meet Xi in South Korea.”

Trump also confirmed that he will meet Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on October 30, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. The meeting will take place amid intensifying economic and geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing, as the U.S. prepares to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports just days after the summit.

This encounter will mark the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi since the 2019 G20 Summit in Japan. However, this time, the agenda is far broader — covering not only trade disputes but also narcotics trafficking and global security concerns.

When asked specifically about fentanyl smuggling via Venezuela, Trump replied, “They’re doing it. But right now, because of fentanyl, they’re paying a 20% tariff worth billions and billions of dollars. On November 1, tariffs on China will rise to 157%, an all-time high. It’s unsustainable for them.”

What Is Fentanyl and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid, used medically to treat severe pain — especially in cancer or post-surgery cases. It is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and acts extremely fast. When used legally, it is administered under strict medical supervision in the form of patches, injections, or lozenges.

However, illicit fentanyl has become a major cause of the U.S. opioid crisis. It is often mixed with heroin or other drugs, significantly increasing the risk of overdose and death. Most of the illegal fentanyl entering the United States is believed to be manufactured in China and smuggled via Mexico and Venezuela.

Trump’s remarks suggest that fentanyl could soon become a central issue in U.S.-China relations, with the White House linking it directly to trade penalties and national security.