China's foreign minister said on Friday the country will "resolutely counter" pressure from the United States on the fentanyl issue, adding that major powers "should not bully the weak", in a veiled swipe at Washington.

In a rare bipartisan move, two senators have introduced legislation in the latest attempt to fight the flow of fentanyl and its precursors into the U.S. from China, Mexico and through other borders

Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall told the U.S. Senate on Wednesday that the economic toll of fentanyl is staggering as China smuggles precursors into Mexico for the cartels to ship north. His testimony followed a news release Tuesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson later in the day called the U.S. fentanyl-related explanation for imposing tariffs a "flimsy excuse."

China warned on Friday it will "resolutely counter" pressure from the United States on the fentanyl issue, after Washington levied an additional 10% tariffs on Chinese imports this week. "The abuse of fentanyl is an issue that the U.

Canadian and Chinese officials say they were already helping reduce fentanyl smuggling. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said fentanyl crossing the northern border is "near zero."

The White House announced on Monday that it will impose increased tariffs on China, citing the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the U.S. as the driving force behind the move.

Investigation reveals that nearly all illegal fentanyl ingredients are made by Chinese companies and then sent to Mexican drug cartels, which produce and distribute fentanyl in the US