Trump says US is negotiating nuclear cuts with Russia and China
President Donald Trump announced that the United States is holding talks with Russia and China about reducing their nuclear arsenals.
During a televised interview, President Donald Trump said the United States is actively negotiating nuclear arms reductions with both Russia and China, describing the effort as "regrettable" but necessary. He confirmed a recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping and projected that China could match US nuclear strength in the next five years. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Russia holds the largest stockpile of warheads, followed by the US and China, though the US leads in deployed weapons.
The existing New START treaty lapsed in February 2026 after a five-year extension by former President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, prompting US officials to pursue a fresh, broader pact that would also bind China. Beijing has so far rejected inclusion, citing a smaller arsenal, while Trump also referenced ongoing civilian nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Why it matters
Nuclear arms talks involving the world's biggest arsenals could reshape global security and non-proliferation efforts.
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