# China expands fentanyl chemical controls before Trump talks

> Beijing tightens export permits on drug precursors ahead of White House meeting with Trump.
- Title: China expands fentanyl chemical controls before Trump talks
- Summary: Beijing tightens export permits on drug precursors ahead of White House meeting with Trump. China expanded controls on chemicals used to make fentanyl…
- Keywords: china, fentanyl, drug precursors, xi jinping, donald trump, export controls, united states, overdose deaths, expands, chemical, controls, Trump
- Source: Fortune — https://fortune.com/2026/09/22/china-xi-trump-fentanyl-precursor-drugs
- Author: The Associated Press
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: china, fentanyl, drug precursors, xi jinping, donald trump, export controls, united states, overdose deaths
## China adds two chemicals to export ban
China's Commerce Ministry announced Tuesday that it now requires permits for exports of two additional drug-making chemicals to the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
## Total controlled chemicals reaches eighteen
The new restrictions bring the total number of chemicals under export controls to eighteen, expanding a system Beijing has built over recent months.
## Timing aligns with Trump-Xi White House meeting
The announcement comes days before Chinese President Xi Jinping meets U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House this week.
## U.S. blames China for fentanyl crisis
The U.S. has called China the world's largest producer of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs blamed for tens of thousands of American overdose deaths yearly.
## Beijing's escalating restrictions since late twenty twenty-five
China announced export restrictions on thirteen chemicals in November twenty twenty-five, added three more fentanyl-related precursors in May, and now adds two more ahead of this week's talks.
## Tariff dispute complicates diplomatic efforts
Beijing's foreign minister blasted the U.S. for responding to China's goodwill with tariffs. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the fentanyl-related tariff in February.
## Key takeaway

China expanded controls on chemicals used to make fentanyl, adding two more substances to its export permit list just before President Xi meets Trump at the White House.