The president-elect’s pledge to use tariffs to stem the flow of opioids from China could backfire if Beijing responds by ending counternarcotics cooperation.

Beijing’s foreign ministry says fentanyl is US’ own problem and that China provided support ‘out of a humanitarian spirit’.

The president-elect, who in 2019 made similar threats that he did not fulfill, says it will be his first executive decision on January 20, after taking office. On January 20, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.