U.S. officials urge action on Chinese pharmaceutical safety and detained citizens

U.S. officials and lawmakers are raising concerns regarding China ahead of upcoming diplomatic meetings. Attorney General Lynn Fitch, joined by attorneys general from 20 states, has urged Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio to protect the American pharmaceutical supply chain from unsafe Chinese ingredients.

The group specifically highlighted risks involving GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide. They noted reports of Chinese suppliers circumventing FDA safeguards by repackaging and relabeling unverified products. One instance involved Harbin Jixianglong Biotech Co., Ltd., which was found to have distributed non-Green List products under its own name following an on-site inspection.

Separately, Representative Chris Smith, Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, has requested that President Trump and Secretary Rubio prioritize the release of American citizens and religious worshippers detained in China during discussions with General Secretary Xi Jinping. The request includes media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai and various activists, noting that several detainees face serious medical conditions that may warrant humanitarian release.