SCHUMER: NEW AGREEMENT WITH CHINA ON FENTANYL COULD BE MAJOR STEP FORWARD TO CURB OPIOID CRISIS IN NEW YORK, BUT NOW WE NEED TO HOLD CHINA ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE SURE THERE IS COMPLIANCE; SENATOR DETAILS NEW DEAL WITH CHINA TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLICIT FENTANYL AND VOWS TO WATCH LIKE A HAWK FOR PROGRESS

Statement

"The agreement President Biden has announced with China is a long overdue step which has the potential to help cut off the supply of fentanyl at its source and stop this drug before it ever enters our country and hits the streets of New York, but now it is more vital than ever to hold China accountable for the commitments they have made. Fentanyl has wreaked havoc in New York and across America, with this crisis stemming in large part in China, where large chemical companies openly and illicitly sell precursor chemicals to buyers in places like Mexico, where it is manufactured and illegally shipped to our most vulnerable communities here in NY. During my visit to China last month we were pointed and direct with President Xi, I told him the devastating impact I have seen the opioid crisis have on New York families. I am pleased to see China take what could be a major step forward to cut off the flow of fentanyl and I am going to be watching like a hawk for progress."

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

"Too many lives have been lost, and too many others are at stake, especially here in New York. Today is a pivotal step forwards in a decades long battle and I will be fighting to hold China's feet to the fire and keep them accountable for their commitments to cut off the flow of fentanyl to America. I told President Xi that China taking steps to crack down on the sale of precursor chemicals would be a long overdue step to strengthening the relationship between our two nations and hope to see continued results from China in the near future."

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