Beijing condemns US sanctions on Chinese painkiller firms

US President Joe Biden signed an executive order that makes it easier for the US to target foreign drug traffickers. - AFP

BEIJING (AFP): Beijing hit out at the United States on Thursday (Dec 16) for its decision to impose sanctions on Chinese painkiller makers as Washington tries to curb an addiction epidemic that killed a record 100,000 Americans last year.

As people dealing with addiction increasingly turn to cheaper pills bought online from abroad, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Wednesday that makes it easier for the United States to target foreign drug traffickers.