Canada isn’t the only focus of U.S. efforts to combat the fentanyl trade.

By Business Today Desk

For the original article this summary is based on, see the publisher’s website here.

In Brief by Probe International

Probe Opinion: U.S. efforts underscore the challenges in halting the fentanyl crisis. If China and India took decisive action to curb the flow of precursor chemicals, and if Canada strengthened its measures to prevent the distribution of finished products globally—especially to Australia and New Zealand—it could significantly save lives. The U.S. prioritizes saving lives, so why doesn’t Canada?

The U.S. has intensified its focus on India’s pharmaceutical sector as part of its broader campaign against fentanyl trafficking, citing concerns over India’s role in the global supply chain for synthetic opioids.

Recent actions, including the imposition of tariffs and visa restrictions, reflect a strategic effort to disrupt the flow of precursor chemicals essential for fentanyl production. With U.S. intelligence agencies now identifying India as the second-largest supplier of these precursors after China, the pressure on Indian exporters and regulators has increased, raising questions about the adequacy of regulatory oversight in the rapidly growing pharmaceutical market.

In response to trade negotiations, China has tightened its controls on fentanyl precursor exports, while the Trump administration has taken a nuanced approach to tariffs, reducing some on China but maintaining barriers on other countries, including India.

Despite India’s collaboration with U.S. drug control operations, the scale of its pharmaceutical exports complicates enforcement efforts, especially as new routes for synthetic opioids emerge. The U.S. State Department has designated India as a major drug transit or illicit drug-producing nation, reflecting heightened scrutiny of its role in the fentanyl supply chain.

The regulation of fentanyl remains a significant challenge due to the legitimate uses of precursor chemicals, which can easily be diverted into illicit markets. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has expanded its interdiction and public education efforts to combat the crisis. Additionally, new sanctions have been implemented, including visa revocations for business executives linked to fentanyl precursor trafficking, underscoring the complexity of the opioid crisis and the ongoing challenges faced by regulators and the pharmaceutical industry globally.