Beijing’s outreach to Washington over fentanyl created an opening for trade talks between the two nations, according to people in both capitals who are familiar with the matter, paving the way for a bilateral meeting in Switzerland this weekend.

Chinese officials have long used their willingness to cooperate to stem the flow of fentanyl to the United States as leverage in talks over broader disputes.

Washington says Chinese chemical manufacturers provide most precursor chemicals used by drug cartels to produce synthetic opioids. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.