China tightens chemical export controls to US, Mexico and Canada
China is now requiring permits for exports to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada of two additional chemicals used to make illegal drugs. The Commerce Ministry announced the new regulations ahead of a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. This brings the total number of controlled chemicals to 18. The U.S. has called China the largest producer of many precursor chemicals used in illicit drug production.
In November 2025, Beijing announced export restrictions on 13 chemicals, and in May, added three more. The measures followed meetings between Xi and Trump.
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