Warren Delano Jr. (July 13, 1809 – January 17, 1898) was an American merchant and drug smuggler who made a large fortune smuggling illegal opium into China. He was the maternal grandfather of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
US 18-49: Fentanyl is the leading cause of death!
– 21st Century Opium War and Fentanyl
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Grandfather of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt:
In the 19th century, my maternal grandfather, Warren Delano, Jr., had a strong interest in China and was doing business in China.
According to Wang Yuan-chung, professor of history at the University of Delaware, his paternal grandfather was in the opium trade.
Russell & Company Canton headquarters c.1880
British East India Company trade with China:
The British East India Company began selling opium to cover its trade deficit with China.
American merchants, including my grandfather, also expanded into Guangzhou, China.
US companies also engaged in the opium trade:
Most of the US companies engaged in the opium trade. With the money he earned, he invested in education, transportation, and medical care in the United States, making the United States a powerful country.
On the other hand, China fell into decline due to the outflow of silver coins, social poverty, and national fatigue.
Statement by Mexican President Lopez Obrador
But history goes round. The main source of fentanyl “appears to be China, not Mexico.”
Earlier this month, the President of Mexico said that “Chinese shipments containing zombie drugs and fentanyl substances have arrived in Mexican ports.”
“It’s clear evidence that fentanyl got into Mexico from China,” he said.
He also said he will “send a letter to President Xi of China to resolve the issue.”
Deadly Drug Fentanyl:
Fentanyl is currently the deadliest drug facing the United States.
In 2021, 107,375 people died from drug overdoses. A whopping 67% is due to fentanyl.
It is the leading cause of death among American adults aged 18 to 49, surpassing car accidents and gunshot deaths.
Mexican president bemoans ‘rude’ US fentanyl pressure in plea to Xi Jinping
Voices of dissatisfaction in the United States:
“Is China deliberately distributing fentanyl to the United States?”
There are voices of dissatisfaction, saying, “Isn’t it trying to settle the bitterness of the opium war against the United States?”
On the other hand, China protests, saying, “If the misuse of fentanyl in the United States is a problem, why are you blaming China?”
This is the background of the phrase “opium war of the 21st century.”
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