In a display of the weak-kneed approach that has become synonymous with the Biden administration, Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a journey to China to beg them to halt the illegal shipment of fentanyl to the United States. How noble of him to ask so nicely for China to stop killing our children with this deadly synthetic opioid. One can only imagine how effective this polite request will be in curbing China’s malicious activities.
During his two-day visit to Beijing, Blinken plans to hold talks with Chinese officials, including the foreign minister, to discuss a range of contentious issues. Among them is the pressing matter of fentanyl, a drug that has played a significant role in the deaths of thousands of Americans in recent years. Rather than taking a firm stance and demanding action, Blinken will rely on “candid, substantive, and constructive talks” to address the issue. Because as we all know, that’s precisely how you convince a nation engaged in illegal activities to change its ways—through nice chats.
The blame for the fentanyl crisis has been placed on Chinese companies, which allegedly provide precursor chemicals to Mexican cartels for the production and distribution of the deadly drug. US law enforcement agencies have repeatedly accused China of fueling the opioid epidemic by turning a blind eye to these illicit activities. But have no fear, Blinken is here to politely request China to stop this harmful trade. I’m sure they’ll be all ears.
It’s worth noting that previous attempts at discussing the fentanyl issue with China hit a roadblock after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan and the US imposed sanctions on Chinese entities. It seems the Chinese government didn’t take kindly to these actions, which begs the question: Will Blinken’s polite words be any more effective? Perhaps China will be moved by his impeccable manners and suddenly decide to cooperate.
In the face of this crisis, US lawmakers have proposed bills to hold China accountable and improve drug control measures. But Blinken’s diplomatic approach suggests that a polite request is the best way to tackle a global drug trafficking problem. It’s clear that the Biden administration prefers appeasement over confrontation when it comes to dealing with China—a tactic that has proved successful time and time again throughout history.
While there have been reports of progress in talks between the US and China on drug control cooperation, it remains to be seen whether these discussions will yield any substantial results. Let’s hope Blinken’s diplomatic finesse and polite language will convince China to stop sending fentanyl to the US. After all, there’s nothing more effective than a strongly worded request, right?
In the end, it seems the Biden administration is content with putting on a polite show and hoping for the best. Whether this approach will effectively curb China’s fentanyl trade remains uncertain. But hey, at least Blinken will be able to say that he tried his best to solve the problem through cordial conversations. That should make grieving families feel much better.