Risch Statement on the Administration’s Annual Drug Report

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) released the following statement on the Trump Administration's annual drug report that identifies China, Colombia, and Mexico as major drug transit or producing countries.

"Drugs flow from these countries, across our borders, and kill Americans. I'm grateful that the Trump Administration has put these countries on notice and will undoubtedly take decisive action to protect the U.S. from these lethal narcotics.

"To rebuild our relationship, Colombia, long the world's leading producer of cocaine, must take measurable steps to demonstrate full cooperation with U.S. counternarcotics efforts. The policies of the Petro Government in Colombia have undermined American security, emboldened transnational criminal organizations, and provoked levels of violence not seen in Colombia in two decades. Petro now understands that that won't fly on President Trump's watch.

"Additionally, China, America's greatest competitor, provides significant tax incentives to domestic producers of fentanyl precursors and allows those producers to export freely to the U.S. and Mexico. You heard that right-China is subsidizing the fentanyl that flows across our borders and kills Americans. This practice must come to an end. If it does not, China should be fully decertified in the next annual report.

"Mexico-based TCOs are also complicit in the deaths of Americans, and Mexico must significantly increase security cooperation with the United States to build on the successes of the last eight months.

"President Trump's message to these nations is clear: address the drug problem in your country or face the consequences."

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