The Trump administration has escalated its efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking by placing India’s pharmaceutical industry under tighter scrutiny, signaling growing unease over the country’s role in supplying chemicals used to manufacture synthetic opioids. A series of recent actions—including harsher tariffs and new visa restrictions—illustrate Washington’s broader attempt to disrupt the global flow of fentanyl precursors.
US intelligence assessments now categorize India as one of the world’s most significant suppliers of fentanyl-related chemicals after China, increasing the pressure on Indian exporters and regulators. According to Bloomberg News, this shift has raised fresh questions about oversight within India’s vast pharmaceutical ecosystem and its expanding footprint in international drug supply chains.
China recently widened its list of monitored chemical exports during negotiations with the United States. Following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, former President Donald Trump reduced a 20% tariff tied to fentanyl concerns but kept additional trade barriers in place for other countries. While Washington acknowledged China’s tightened controls, India’s thriving drug manufacturing industry remains under a spotlight.
India has long cooperated with US drug enforcement agencies, yet the sector’s explosive growth—often championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as proof of India’s status as the “pharmacy of the world”—poses challenges. The enormous variety and volume of drugs and chemicals produced in India complicate monitoring efforts, especially as traffickers shift toward new synthetic opioid routes.
Tensions between Washington and New Delhi have grown in recent months, prompting the US to reassess India’s position in the fentanyl supply network. Sources familiar with internal discussions say officials even considered targeting India with fresh tariffs due to its rising chemical exports, though most punitive measures ultimately centered on India’s purchases of Russian oil. Meanwhile, drug-control specialists continued briefing US leaders on India’s expanding role in the global fentanyl economy.
In March, US intelligence agencies identified India as the world’s second-largest supplier of fentanyl precursors and pill-making machines, following China. The State Department’s annual report also placed India among major drug transit or production nations, along with China, Mexico, and Colombia. The department stressed that such designations are not punishments, though India’s repeated listing reflects growing concern.
Trade measures announced in February 2025 have further complicated matters. The Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, citing fentanyl trafficking. While tariffs on Canada and Mexico were later lifted, those linked to China remain active, and India risks similar treatment as US enforcement expands.
Regulating fentanyl precursors remains difficult because the same chemicals—such as NPP and 4-ANPP—are widely used in legitimate pharmaceutical and industrial applications. The DEA has strengthened interdiction efforts and public-awareness programs, but global supply chains continue to challenge enforcement agencies.
Internationally, Washington has introduced sanctions including visa bans for business executives tied to illicit precursor shipments, following incidents involving Indian firms. As the US refines its enforcement strategy, the growing complexity of fentanyl production underscores the worldwide challenge regulators face in combating the synthetic opioid crisis.
