Trump says China will work with him to stop fentanyl trafficking
During the concluding segment of his Asia trip, President Donald Trump took to the skies aboard Air Force One, where he addressed reporters about his anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at an upcoming economic summit in South Korea. Expressing optimism about their relationship, Trump highlighted that discussions would center around several pressing issues, particularly the ongoing crisis of fentanyl trafficking. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, linking it to broader concerns regarding drug trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border and the alarming death toll associated with the opioid crisis. “We took in tremendous amounts of death,” he remarked, referring to what he termed “boats of death,” a vivid metaphor for the lethal shipments of fentanyl that he claims have surged under the Biden administration’s policies.
Trump’s assertions about the fentanyl crisis were underscored by his belief that his administration’s border policies had significantly curtailed illegal drug trafficking, boasting an approximate 80% reduction in drug smuggling by sea. He commended U.S. law enforcement and border officials for their relentless efforts, stating, “Our Border Patrol agents … do such a great job with what they’re doing.” His comments reflect a broader strategy that intertwines domestic border security with international cooperation, as he seeks to leverage his relationship with China to mitigate the fentanyl crisis. Trump’s remarks also touched upon other critical global issues, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and North Korea’s missile activities, as he prepared for a face-to-face with Xi, expressing confidence that “a lot of problems are going to be solved.”
As the summit approaches, Trump’s framing of the fentanyl crisis as a key agenda item signals a strategic pivot towards addressing domestic drug issues through international dialogue. His insistence on collaboration with China, particularly in tackling drug trafficking, showcases an attempt to unify domestic policy with foreign relations. The upcoming discussions with Xi are seen as not just an opportunity to address trade and tariffs but also as a pivotal moment to confront the complexities of drug trafficking that have plagued the U.S. in recent years. By linking these issues, Trump aims to present a comprehensive approach to governance that resonates with his base while addressing the multifaceted challenges of today’s global landscape.
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During the final leg of his Asia trip en route to South Korea, President
Donald Trump
spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One, expressing confidence in his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of their meeting at an economic summit.
When asked about U.S. efforts to curb
fentanyl trafficking
, Trump said the issue would be central to his discussions with Xi.
Ahead of his meeting with the
Chinese leader
, Trump said he hoped for progress on “a lot of problems,” including fentanyl trafficking, trade and tariffs.
“China is going to be working with me, okay,” Trump told reporters. “They’re going to be working with me, and we’re going to do something, I believe.”
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Trump said the issue would be a major topic of discussion in his upcoming meeting.
“We have to have the meeting — a meeting tomorrow. That’s a big meeting,” he said. “And fentanyl will be one of the things that we’re discussing. The farmers will be discussing a lot of things, but fentanyl will be one of the things we discuss.”
Trump stated that the fentanyl crisis and
drug trafficking across the southern border
are directly related, calling them “tremendous amounts of death.”
“We took in tremendous amounts of death. I call them the boats of death,” he said. “Under Biden and open borders, stuff was flowing. I think they killed 300,000 people last year — fentanyl drugs coming through the southern border. And now nobody gets through this. We’re very tough on the border.”
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Trump credited his policies with a sharp reduction in illegal drug trafficking by sea, saying it was “down about 80% by water.”
He also praised U.S. law enforcement and border officials for their efforts, saying, “Our border agents, our Border Patrol agents, they’ve been amazing. ICE — these people do such a great job with what they’re doing.”
During his visit, Trump also commented on international security issues, including the
Israel-Hamas conflict
and North Korea’s recent missile launches. He said he expects his meeting with Xi to be productive, adding, “I think we’ll get a great meeting with President Xi of China. And a lot of problems are going to be solved.”
Trump’s comments underscored his push to link
border security
and international cooperation as key priorities ahead of his meeting with Xi.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
