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.

President-elect Donald Trump signalled on the campaign trail that tariffs and border security are his top priorities. In addition to promising hefty tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods on Monday, he also targeted China,

A spokesperson at the Chinese Embassy in Washington said his country is fighting fentanyl trafficking, the reason for the new promised penalty.