United States President Donald Trump recently articulated his intent to engage China and Russia in discussions aimed at reducing nuclear stockpiles as well as military expenditures among the three nations. In a statement to reporters at the White House, Trump expressed a willingness to convene with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a future date when relations improve.
He emphasized, “When we straighten it all out, then I want one of the first meetings I have to be with President Xi of China, President Putin of Russia. And I want to say, let’s cut our military budget in half.” This statement notably precedes a scheduled summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Highlighting concerns of global security, Trump noted that there is little justification for the United States to expand its nuclear arsenal when it already possesses enough firepower to devastate the planet multiple times over. He advocated for reallocating public funds to initiatives that are “hopefully much more productive” than military enhancements.
The President’s remarks follow a recent phone conversation with Putin, during which both leaders discussed strategic arms reduction in an effort to mitigate global tensions. Trump pointed out the ongoing race in nuclear capabilities, indicating that the United States, along with Russia and China, are actively developing their arsenals—a situation he deemed unsustainable and worrisome.
According to the Arms Control Association, the U.S. and Russia collectively hold approximately 10,805 nuclear warheads, underscoring their significant role in the world’s nuclear dynamics. Meanwhile, China is estimated to have around 600 warheads, while other nations, including France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea, total about 1,000 combined.
As the impending expiry of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty approaches in February, concerns have risen regarding its renewal. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has indicated that the prospects for extension appear bleak. This treaty stands as the last remaining arms control agreement following the previous U.S. administration’s withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which had been a significant component of post-Cold War arms control efforts.
Despite Trump’s past attempts to broker a tripartite arms control agreement involving Russia and China, Beijing has returned skepticism, referencing the U.S. exit from key treaties as a critical barrier to cooperation.
In an evolving global landscape, these discussions on arms control reflect a vital pursuit not just for de-escalation, but also for fostering international collaboration toward a more peaceful and secure world.
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