By Arpita Ghosh

Copyright timesnownews

United States President Donald Trump has identified China, Pakistan and Afghanistan among 23 countries he says are major drug transit or illicit drug-producing nations, warning that their activities are a threat to the safety of the United States. In a “Presidential Determination” submitted to Congress this week, Trump listed 23 nations as being central to manufacturing or transporting illicit drugs and precursor chemicals. The list, which he called the “Major’s List”, includes countries from Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and beyond. The nations are Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Also Read: US-China Reset? Trump Hails Trade Talks, Drops Big Hint on TikTok Deal “The combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors” contributes to a country’s inclusion on the list, the State Department said, adding that the designation “does not necessarily reflect” a government’s counternarcotics efforts or cooperation with Washington. Five countries namely Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia and Venezuela were flagged as having “failed demonstrably” to meet obligations under international counternarcotics agreements. Trump said these nations have not taken adequate measures to address the threat in the past year. On China, Trump said the country’s role as the “world’s largest source” of precursor chemicals fueling illicit fentanyl production is well established. He added that Beijing also contributes to the global spread of synthetic narcotics including nitazenes and methamphetamine. “The Chinese leadership can and must take stronger and sustained action to cut down these chemical flows and prosecute the drug criminals facilitating them,” Trump said. On Afghanistan, Trump noted that despite the Taliban’s declared ban on illegal drugs, stockpiles and expanded methamphetamine production continue to supply international markets. The State Department said proceeds from the illicit drug trade also feed organized crime and terrorism worldwide. In the US, Trump said fentanyl and other synthetic opioids trafficked by such networks have created a “national emergency” and remain the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 44. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.