US Senate leader accuses Chinese companies of “fueling” fentanyl crisis

The Democratic majority leader of the United States SenateChuck Schumer, accused on Saturday from Shanghai chinese companies of “fuel the crisis fentanyl”, which has caused the death of thousands of people in their country due to overdose.

A delegation of US senatorsheaded by Schumer, arrived this Saturday at China at a time when both powers are trying to ease bilateral tensions.

Reporters traveling with the delegation reported Schumer met with Chen Jining, secretary of the Communist Party of China in Shanghaiand that the senator stressed that USA “he does not want to decouple” both economies.

He also raised the question of the role of chinese companies in the addiction crisis fentanyla powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically, but can be used as drug.

“It’s not about the government, it’s about chinese companies. They fuel the crisis of fentanyl that poisons communities throughout USA”Schumer declared.

The United States sanctioned a Chinese network this Tuesday for supplying substances to drug traffickerslike the Mexican cartels, to manufacture fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.

Beijing expressed its opposition to the sanctions, insisting that the opioid problem “is rooted” in USA and it is not your responsibility.

Schumer also said he will try to raise the company’s alleged unfair business practices. China during your visit.

“Many of our voters believe that, in some cases, China does not treat American companies in a fair way”, stressed the Democratic politician.

“We believe we need reciprocity, allowing American companies to compete so freely in China How Chinese companies can compete here”he added.

“Very productive” conversations

According to the Bloomberg agency, the delegation hopes to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days in Beijing.

At the same time, a meeting is being planned between Xi and the US president, Joe Biden.

Biden presented Friday as a “possibility” that meeting with Xi Jinping will take place during the APEC summit, the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation forum, in mid-November in San Francisco.

In May, several US senatorsamong them Schumer, announced a plan to confront the growing influence China in the world.

This initiative proposes limiting the investment flows and cutting-edge technology towards the Asian giant, and dissuade Beijing from any aggression against the island of Taiwan, which China considered as a rebellious province.

Asked about his expectations for this visit, Schumer said he hoped “very productive conversations”.

He Chinese Foreign Ministry He said Wednesday that he hoped the visit would allow “to the Congress American understand China objectively”.

Trip “will promote dialogue and exchanges between the legislative bodies of both countries, and will inject positive elements into the development of relations between China and USA“added the ministry.

In recent months, Beijing and Washington resumed high-level dialogue with a series of visits by senior US officials, including the head of diplomacy, Antony Blinken, who traveled to China.

However, the bilateral relationship remains tense due to several trade disputes, criticism of Beijing’s strategy in the South China Sea and the Taiwan question.

With information from AFP.