H.R. 747: Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025, seeks to impose sanctions specifically targeting Chinese producers of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, and the chemicals that are used to produce them. Its primary goals include holding Chinese officials accountable for their role in the international traffic of illicit fentanyl and enhancing cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese governments to combat this issue.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Cooperation with China: The bill expresses that the Chinese government should work with the U.S. to identify unregulated chemicals that can be used in the production of opioids. It also asks China to label chemical shipments properly and to implement know-your-customer procedures for these shipments.
• New Definitions: The bill amends existing definitions within the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to clarify what constitutes a foreign opioid trafficker. This includes any Chinese entity involved in the production, manufacture, distribution, or sale of synthetic opioids who fails to take appropriate measures against trafficking.
• Identification of Traffickers: The bill mandates the identification of foreign opioid traffickers, specifically including high-ranking officials in Chinese drug regulation authorities, and seeks to determine whether they are complicit in opioid trafficking.
• Increased Penalties: It also seeks to extend the time frame for identifying and sanctioning foreign opioid traffickers from five years to ten years.
• Evaluation and Reporting: The President is required to provide annual evaluations regarding the effectiveness of sanctions and measures taken to combat drug trafficking, considering the perspectives of both public and private stakeholders.
• Sanctions on Goods: The bill clarifies that while it rejects all transactions involving property or interests linked to opioid trafficking, it does not impose sanctions on the importation of goods themselves.

Implementation and Enforcement

The bill proposes that multiple U.S. governmental bodies work together to enforce these measures and ensure compliance from Chinese authorities. It emphasizes the need for new rules and swift enforcement actions against precursor trafficking by relevant Chinese agencies.

Significance of Sanctions

If enacted, the sanctions could affect various aspects of international trade between the U.S. and China concerning chemical shipments, particularly those tied to drug manufacturing. It aims to strengthen U.S. efforts in curbing the fentanyl crisis by ensuring accountability and enhancing bilateral tools for cooperation in drug enforcement.

Relevant Companies

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