The president-elect’s threat to impose 10% in additional tariffs on imports from China for its role in the fentanyl crisis is a time bomb designed to push Beijing’s leaders to take stronger action.

The president-elect’s pledge to use tariffs to stem the flow of opioids from China could backfire if Beijing responds by ending counternarcotics cooperation.

President Joe Biden‘s fentanyl diplomacy with China is under scrutiny as President-elect Donald Trump’s team seeks a harder line to stop the flow of Chinese-made chemicals powering America’s epidemic.