China may offer cooperation on fentanyl as a diplomatic “icebreaker” to restart trade talks with the U.S., following months of economic pain and escalating tariffs under Trump’s second presidency. According to The Wall Street Journal, Beijing is considering sending security chief Wang Xiaohong to meet U.S. officials, reflecting a shift in tone after previously demanding tariff relief as a precondition. Trump imposed 20% tariffs on China early in his second term, citing its role in the U.S. drug-overdose crisis, but Beijing dismissed the move as a pretext for broader trade aggression. Both countries have escalated tariffs causing trade to collapse, fueling U.S. inflation, and pushing China toward a deep recession. China’s Commerce Ministry said it is reviewing ongoing U.S. messages signaling a willingness to negotiate on tariffs.
