China export controlled more fentanyl precursor to enforce the Kuala Lumpur Deal
China’s MOFCOM and four other government agencies have imposed new export licensing requirements on 13 fentanyl precursor chemicals, including piperidine derivatives and related compounds used in fentanyl production. According to reports, FBI Director Kash Patel visited China last week to discuss counternarcotics cooperation. On Monday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had no information about Patel’s visit.
Following the U.S. Trade Representative’s announcement on Sunday that it would suspend its Section 301 investigation into China’s dominance in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, China’s Ministry of Transport today also issued a notice suspending its countermeasures, including:
1/ Suspension of the special port service fee on U.S. vessels;
2/ Suspension of the impact assessment on the security and development interests of the shipping, shipbuilding, and related supply chains;
As another step, MOFCOM made an announcement today officially notifying the suspension for one year of countermeasures against five U.S.-related subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. Hanwha Ocean Co. welcomed the decision, also expressing hope for its improved ties with Chinese partners.
“We welcome the Chinese government’s decision,” Hanwha Ocean said in a statement. “We hope our relationship with Chinese partners will further develop with this suspension.”
Similarly, as part of its obligations under the Kuala Lumpur Agreement, MOFCOM has suspended export controls on gallium, germanium, antimony, superhard materials, and graphite destined for the United States.
Ministry of Commerce and Four Other Departments
Announcement on Adjusting the “Catalogue of Controlled Precursor Chemicals for Export to Specified Countries (Regions)” and the “List of Specified Countries (Regions)”
[Issued by] Bureau of Security and Control
[Document No.] MOFCOM Announcement [2025] No. 73
[Date] November 10, 2025To further strengthen the export control of precursor chemicals, in accordance with the Interim Provisions on the Administration of the Export of Precursor Chemicals to Specified Countries (Regions), the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Emergency Management, the General Administration of Customs, and the National Medical Products Administration have decided to adjust the Catalogue of Controlled Precursor Chemicals for Export to Specified Countries (Regions) and the List of Specified Countries (Regions).
The United States, Mexico, and Canada are newly added to the List of Specified Countries (Regions), and 13 precursor chemicals have been added specifically for export control to these three countries.
From the date of this announcement, exports of the chemicals listed in Part I of Annex 1 to the United States, Mexico, or Canada must apply for a license in accordance with the Interim Provisions, while exports to other countries or regions remain exempt from licensing requirements.
Annexes:
Catalogue of Controlled Precursor Chemicals for Export to Specified Countries (Regions).pdf
List of Specified Countries (Regions).pdf
Ministry of Commerce
Ministry of Public Security
Ministry of Emergency Management
General Administration of Customs
National Medical Products AdministrationNovember 10, 2025
Decision on Suspending for One Year Countermeasures Against Five U.S.-Related Subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.
[Issued by] Bureau of Security and Control
[Document No.] MOFCOM Order [2025] No. 7
[Date] November 10, 2025Order of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China
No. 7 of 2025In view of the United States’ announcement on November 10, 2025, to suspend for one year its Section 301 measures targeting China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, the Ministry of Commerce hereby issues the Decision on Suspending for One Year Countermeasures Against Five U.S.-Related Subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd., effective November 10, 2025.
Minister: Wang Wentao
November 10, 2025Decision Text:
At 8 p.m. EST on November 9, 2025, the United States announced the suspension of its Section 301 measures against China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors effective November 10. In response, pursuant to the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People’s Republic of China and its implementing regulations, China decides that, starting Beijing time November 10, 2025, the measures outlined in MOFCOM Order [2025] No. 6 (Decision on Countermeasures Against Five U.S.-Related Subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.) shall be suspended for one year.
MOFCOM Announcement [2025] No. 72
Decision on Adjusting the Implementation of MOFCOM Announcement [2024] No. 46
[Issued by] Bureau of Security and Control
[Date] November 9, 2025Upon approval, the implementation of Paragraph 2 of MOFCOM Announcement [2024] No. 46 (Announcement on Strengthening Export Controls of Certain Dual-Use Items to the United States) is suspended from now until November 27, 2026.
Ministry of Commerce
November 9, 2025
Background: MOFCOM Announcement [2024] No. 46, issued on December 3, 2024, strengthened export controls on certain dual-use items to the United States. Paragraph 2 stated that, in principle, export licenses would not be granted for dual-use items related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the U.S.; exports of graphite-related dual-use items to the U.S. would be subject to stricter end-user and end-use reviews.
It also prohibited exports of such dual-use items to U.S. military users or for military purposes. Any organization or individual in any country or region that transfers or provides the relevant Chinese-origin dual-use items to U.S. entities or individuals in violation of these rules would be held legally liable. The announcement took effect upon publication.