China adds two chemical precursors to North American export licensing

On September 22, the Associated Press reported that China began requiring permits for exports to the United States, Mexico and Canada of two additional chemicals capable of use in illegal-drug production, bringing the controlled total to 18. The change was announced ahead of a meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump and follows earlier Chinese controls imposed in November 2025 and May 2026. Chemical, pharmaceutical and logistics clients should confirm whether current product descriptions, end-use statements and distributor records support the new licensing process. The measure also shows how counternarcotics policy can become a trade-control issue, making regulatory monitoring necessary even where goods are not traditionally treated as strategic technology.