US senator urges China to join new nuclear arms control talksChina to join new nuclear arms control talks after New START expiry
A US senator called for China's involvement in new nuclear arms control talks following the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the US and Russia in February 2026. US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have repeatedly echoed this position, aiming to include Beijing in a broader agreement. This push comes amid China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal.
The absence of binding limits risks an unchecked nuclear arms race among major powers. China has rejected trilateral talks, arguing its smaller arsenal makes participation unreasonable at this stage and that the US and Russia should lead disarmament first. New negotiations could stabilize global strategic balances if all parties engage.
US Perspective
China must join nuclear arms control talks to create an effective new regime after New START expired. Leaders like the senator, Trump, and Rubio stress Beijing's growing arsenal demands its inclusion alongside the US and Russia. Exclusion would leave major powers without restraints, heightening global risks.
Chinese Perspective
China rejects trilateral arms control talks as unreasonable given its minimum deterrent arsenal compared to US and Russian stockpiles. Beijing insists the largest nuclear powers must lead disarmament first through substantial cuts. It supports multilateral efforts like P5 discussions and a fissile material cut-off treaty but on fair terms.
- China's minimum deterrent arsenal contains roughly 300-400 warheads, compared to over 5,000 each for the US and Russia, making Beijing's negotiating position fundamentally different.
- The P5 nuclear dialogue mechanism, dormant for years, was revived in recent years as an alternative forum where China participates alongside the US, Russia, UK, and France.
- France and the UK, also recognized nuclear powers under the NPT, have largely remained outside recent US-Russia-China trilateral negotiation discussions despite their strategic interests.
