The U.S. Annual Threat Assessment has identified India as a key supplier of precursor chemicals for illicit fentanyl production, along with China. This action underscores the severity of the opioid crisis in America, which has resulted in over 52,000 deaths. As President Trump prioritizes combating opioids, he enforces tariffs related to trafficking, although India seeks to negotiate a free trade agreement to mitigate these tariffs.
The United States intelligence community’s Annual Threat Assessment has identified India alongside China as a “state actor” involved in supplying precursor chemicals necessary for the illegal production of fentanyl. Fentanyl, a proactive opioid, has been linked to over 52,000 American fatalities in the year ending October 2024. The report highlights the complicity of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) in trafficking drugs, facilitated by state actors providing chemical precursors and related equipment.
The assessment articulated that China remains the predominant source of illicit fentanyl precursors, with India following closely behind. Notably, this marks the first instance in which India has been equated with China in terms of its role in supplying these essential chemicals to drug cartels. Previously, India was referenced only as a minor source in drug trafficking networks, with a predominant focus on China.
This report emerges amid President Donald Trump’s intensified efforts to combat the opioid crisis, which he has made a central theme of his administration’s foreign policy. Earlier this month, Trump articulated his commitment to eradicating the fentanyl epidemic in the United States, emphasizing the urgency of international cooperation in this issue.
In a significant policy move, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tariff on China due to insufficient action against fentanyl trafficking, alongside additional tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Furthermore, he has suggested the implementation of reciprocal tariffs on numerous countries as part of his forthcoming “Liberation Day” tariffs, set for April 2. Nevertheless, India is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with the United States, which may provide a pathway to mitigate the impact of these tariffs.
In summary, the U.S. intelligence community has highlighted India’s involvement in the fentanyl trade, placing it alongside China as a key supplier of precursor chemicals. This report reinforces President Trump’s focus on the opioid crisis within the context of his broader foreign policy initiatives and highlights the ongoing trade implications between the U.S. and India as both negotiate a free trade deal.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
