China on Monday began requiring export licenses for 13 precursor chemicals shipped to the US, Mexico, and Canada, in a move seen as part of ongoing tensions with Washington over fentanyl production and trafficking, state media reported.

China's narcotics control authorities have long regarded the regulation of precursor chemicals as a fundamental measure to curb production of contraband both at home and abroad, keeping strict checks on suspicious transactions and tracing their sources to nip risks in the bud.

In collaboration with China, President Donald Trump has effectively “shut off the pipeline that creates fentanyl,” FBI Director Patel says.

China has agreed to regulate fentanyl-related chemicals as part of a deal with the Trump administration to combat the opioid crisis. Following a visit by FBI Director Kash Patel, China designated key precursors and agreed to control subsidiaries involved in fentanyl production.

For many years, the Cabrera Sarabia family worked alongside the Sinaloa Cartel, but their direct connection to Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada strengthened after the arrest and extradition of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.

One of President Donald Trump’s first-day pledges upon taking office was to secure the U.S. border — a goal that includes tackling the nation’s ongoing drug smu

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on Monday that it will further tighten export controls on precursor chemicals by adding the US, Mexico, and Canada to the list of specific countries and regions requiring special export licenses for specific precursor chemicals.