AS IT HAPPENED: Trump, Xi meet in Beijing; Xi’s ominous warning over ‘most important’ issue in US-China relations; Iran ‘frighteningly close’ to having nuclear weapons; Iran negotiations on the table

Rubio says the production of fentanyl precursors, chemicals used to create the synthetic opioid, is one of “unique areas of cooperation” for China and the U.S.Rubio spoke with FOX News Channel on Air Force One as Trump’s entourage flew to Beijing.

Trump has made curbing fentanyl use one of the priorities of his second term.

In February 2025, he slapped 10 per cent duties on China imports over fentanyl; he later raised the duties and lowered them again in November 2025, when Beijing agreed to tighten controls on 13 fentanyl precursor chemicals.

The duties were eventually shot down by the US Supreme Court.

While both US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart were fairly chummy in their opening remarks, the latter has shifted tack now that the pair have gotten down to business.