FBI Director Kash Patel announced a new agreement with China aimed at squeezing off the flow of fentanyl into the United States. He said the plan focuses on the chemicals needed to make the drug, not just the shipments at the border.

He explained that stopping production upstream reduces what can ever reach our streets. The strategy centers on “precursors,” the necessary ingredients for fentanyl.

Kash Patel said, “We must attack fentanyl precursors – the ingredients necessary to make this lethal drug.”

Kash Patel said, “That was the sole purpose of my trip to China to eliminate these precursors. And if successful, we would suffocate the drug trafficking organization’s ability to manufacture fentanyl in places like Mexico.”

Patel noted this was the first visit by an FBI director to China in over a decade to address the issue directly with his counterpart. He spoke from the White House podium about meetings at the Ministry of Public Security Headquarters.

Kash Patel said, “While at Ministry of Public Security Headquarters, I met with my counterpart at MPS [Ministry of Public Security], where the Chinese government agreed on a plan to stop fentanyl precursors.”

He detailed the commitments. He said Chinese authorities have identified a specific list of chemicals and new controls on companies involved in producing them.

Kash Patel said, “…The People’s Republic of China has fully designated and listed all 13 precursors utilized to make fentanyl. Furthermore, they have agreed to control seven chemical subsidiaries that are also utilized to produce this lethal drug.”

He linked the agreement to an immediate effect on the supply chain feeding cartels. He connected the move to the broader effort led by the administration.

Kash Patel said, “Effective immediately, essentially, President Trump has shut off the pipeline that creates fentanyl, that kills tens of thousands of Americans.”

Patel also said the substances are banned and would no longer be available to cartels in Mexico or other organizations worldwide. He framed the moment as historic and credited a list of officials.

Kash Patel said, “These substances are now banned, and they will no longer be utilized by the Mexican drug trafficking organizations or any other DTOs [drug trafficking organizations] around the world to make this drug.”

Kash Patel said, “This historic achievement has saved tens of thousands of lives. This historic achievement would not have been possible without the tremendous team of President Trump, the attorney general, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Ambassador [David] Purdue in China, whose ground level engagements were imperative to achieving this result.”

He pointed to the deadly toll of fentanyl across the country. Public estimates showed tens of thousands of deaths in a recent year from the drug.

Patel said the approach targets many chemicals used before final production. He emphasized that hitting the inputs can starve the cartels of raw material. He said that, in turn, limits manufacturing hubs outside the United States.

The timeline he outlined begins now. He described an operational shift in China to police the designated precursors and the named subsidiaries. He said the goal is to prevent diversion and block export routes.

He also tied the announcement to joint enforcement. He spoke about cooperation with the Department of Justice and other agencies to pursue traffickers and brokers who try to adapt.

Patel’s message was direct. Cut the supply, dry up the market, and save lives. He said that is the mission moving forward.