China urges U.S. to stop shifting blame over its fentanyl crisis

The Foreign Ministry urged the U.S. on Tuesday to stop smearing China's name and shifting blame over its fentanyl crisis, saying that Washington should show sincerity and conduct mutually beneficial dialogue in counternarcotics cooperation with Beijing.

Although Beijing and Washington have agreed to ease trade tensions and roll back some tariffs, duties imposed by the U.S. under the pretext of the fentanyl issue remain in place.

When asked whether there will be any planned talks on the fentanyl tariffs, Lin Jian, a spokesman for the ministry, said that if the U.S. sincerely wants to cooperate, it needs to stop shifting the blame on China.

Lin reiterated that fentanyl is the issue of the U.S., not the issue of China, and the responsibility lies with the U.S. itself.

In disregard of Beijing's goodwill, Washington's move damaged bilateral counternarcotics dialogue and cooperation, and severely undermined Beijing's interests, the spokesman said.

He urged the U.S. to seek dialogue with China based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.