China Is Smuggling Fentanyl to US Through Venezuela, Trump Says

The U.S. president said he plans to raise the issue with Chinese leader Xi Jinping next week.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a law enforcement roundtable in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on Oct. 23, 2025. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Oct. 23 that China is smuggling fentanyl into the United States through Venezuela to bypass U.S. and Mexican controls.

“They are doing that, yes, but they are paying right now 20 percent tariff because of fentanyl,” Trump told reporters.