Rubio Doubles Down on Efforts to Impose Sanctions on China

US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) filed new legislation to sanction China a few days after filing a different sanctions proposal earlier this week. 

The new sanctions proposal seeks to counteract China’s role in the illegal fentanyl trade. 

Senator Rubio’s earlier sanctions proposal sought to sanction Chinese entities using slave labor to manufacture goods. 

In his latest sanctions proposal, however, Rubio is requesting President Joe Biden’s administration identify and sanction Chinese firms contributing to fentanyl trafficking. 

The  Fentanyl Reduction Engrained by Economic Deterrence Act would require the Biden administration to identify Chinese entities and officials involved in fentanyl production and, within 60 days, either impose sanctions or justify any contrary decision .

Illegal Fentanyl trafficking has been at the forefront of national policy debates, as thousands of Americans have died in recent years due to abusing the drug.

Conservatives have blamed the Southern border’s instability as facilitating the influx of Fentanyl.

Rubio emphasized the dire need to combat the fentanyl crisis via press release. 

“Ensuring an end to the production of fentanyl is crucial to protecting Americans and our interests. We must start by addressing the origins of this vicious supply chain,” said Rubio. “This bill is an important step in targeting those involved in facilitating this process. It is my hope that we live to see a country free of fentanyl and be free of the pain it has unfortunately inflicted on so many American families.”

Last spring, US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) passed legislation expanding Customs and Border Patrol’s CBP capacity to intercept fentanyl traffickers. 

The  Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of Life (END FENTANYL) Act unanimously passed through both the US Senate and House of Representatives and was subsequently signed by President Biden.

The Act authorizes and compels the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to take the actions necessary to freeze the illegal Fentanyl drug trade. 

Specifically, the CBP commissioner is required to review and update the Office of Field Operations’ policies and handbooks to include measures tailored to combatting drug and human trafficking.

To ensure CBP compliance with the act, the commissioner is required to submit a report to Senate and House committees summarizing policy and manual changes every three years.