Beijing, China—Amid rising tensions over the fentanyl crisis, China is urging the United States to choose cooperation over confrontation. On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called out the U.S. for imposing additional tariffs on Chinese imports, using the fentanyl issue as an excuse.
“Pressuring, coercing, or issuing threats is not the right way to engage with China,” Lin Jian said at a press briefing. “The Chinese people have never been swayed by fallacies, deterred by intimidation, or cowed by bullying.”
Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has been a major contributor to overdose deaths in the U.S. While the U.S. accuses China of being a primary source of illicit fentanyl, China asserts that it has taken significant steps to help combat the crisis.
“In the spirit of humanity and our friendship with the American people, we have taken strong steps to assist the U.S. with its response to the fentanyl issue,” Lin stated. “This is obvious to all, and people from various sectors in the U.S. have expressed thanks to China on multiple occasions.”
Lin criticized the U.S. for blaming China instead of addressing its own domestic challenges. “Instead of recognizing our efforts, the U.S. has smeared and shifted blame onto China and pressured and blackmailed China with tariff hikes. They are punishing us for helping them,” he said.
He emphasized the need for dialogue grounded in equality and mutual respect. “If the United States truly wants to resolve the fentanyl issue, it needs to adhere to principles of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit, and engage in consultations with China to address each other’s concerns,” Lin urged.
Sending a firm message, Lin warned that China is prepared to respond if tensions escalate. “If the U.S. has other agendas in mind and insists on waging a tariff war, trade war, or whatever war, China will not flinch and is ready to make a due response,” he declared.
“We urge the U.S. to stop being domineering and return to the right track of dialogue and cooperation at an early date,” Lin concluded.
