In response to US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff plans targeting China, there is a growing concern that China could potentially weaponize fentanyl and rare earths as a way to retaliate.
Trump has imposed a staggering 125 percent levy on Chinese imports, a move that could have lasting implications on global trade dynamics. To gain a deeper insight into the situation, DW Business’s Daniel Winter sat down with Jörg Wuttke, a partner at DGA Group and former head of BASF China.
The fear is that China, as a major producer of fentanyl and rare earths, could use these resources as leverage in the ongoing trade dispute with the US. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has been a source of tension between the two countries due to its role in the opioid crisis in the US. Rare earths, on the other hand, are essential components in the production of many high-tech goods, giving China significant influence in the global market.
As tensions continue to escalate between the US and China, the potential for these resources to be weaponized adds a new layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. The implications of such a move could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy and trade relations.
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Video “Could China weaponize fentanyl and rare earths to fight Trump's tariff threat? | DW News” was uploaded on 04/09/2025 to Youtube Channel DW News