China Imposes Export Controls on Three Precursor Chemicals

China has imposed new export controls on three precursor chemicals, restricting their shipment to Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The National Narcotics Control Commission announced the measures on Friday. The commission also issued warnings about eight other chemicals that can be used in synthetic drug production.

It directed businesses involved in their trade to comply strictly with existing laws.

U.S. and Chinese leaders in Beijing one week earlier. Similar curbs were announced by Beijing in November after a prior meeting between the two countries. During that earlier meeting, the United States agreed to reduce tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing's cooperation on fentanyl-related enforcement.

Washington had previously accused Beijing of inadequate control over fentanyl precursors. S. problem. S. anti-narcotics authorities recently collaborated on a joint investigation, resulting in five arrests and drug seizures this month.

U.S. efforts to maintain leadership over China in artificial intelligence. He postponed a planned meeting with technology executives after reviewing the text of a proposed order. "We're leading China, we're leading everybody, and I don't want to do anything that's going to get in the way of that lead," Trump told reporters.

The order would have created a framework for assessing national security risks of advanced AI systems before public release. -based companies including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google.