In a post to Truth Social, President Donald Trump blamed Canada, Mexico and China for 100,000 deaths in 2024 caused by fentanyl and other drugs and vowed to take action starting next week.

China's foreign minister said on Friday the country will "resolutely counter" pressure from the United States on the fentanyl issue, adding that major powers "should not bully the weak", in a veiled swipe at Washington.

Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall told the U.S. Senate on Wednesday that the economic toll of fentanyl is staggering as China smuggles precursors into Mexico for the cartels to ship north. His testimony followed a news release Tuesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson later in the day called the U.S. fentanyl-related explanation for imposing tariffs a "flimsy excuse."

China warned on Friday it will "resolutely counter" pressure from the United States on the fentanyl issue, after Washington levied an additional 10% tariffs on Chinese imports this week. "The abuse of fentanyl is an issue that the U.

However, the commerce secretary did acknowledge that the tariffs would lead to higher prices for US consumers on foreign-made goods

Canadian and Chinese officials say they were already helping reduce fentanyl smuggling. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said fentanyl crossing the northern border is "near zero."