Background on the Treaty and Key Players
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) is the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia. This treaty, set to expire on February 5, limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads that both countries can deploy. The treaty was initially signed in 2010 and has been extended until 2026.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed extending the New START’s limitations voluntarily after its expiration. However, there has been no immediate response from the White House regarding President Trump’s intentions to accept this offer.
During a July interview, Trump expressed his preference to maintain the limits set by the treaty post-expiration. The New START currently restricts both the US and Russia to deploying no more than 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads on 700 delivery systems, including missiles, bombers, and submarines.
Trump’s Stance on China
In an interview with the New York Times, Trump suggested that China, which possesses the world’s fastest-growing nuclear arsenal, should be included in any future treaty replacing the New START.
China, viewed by the US as its primary global rival, has dismissed this proposal since Trump first introduced it during his initial term. They argue that the nuclear forces of both the US and Russia dwarf their own arsenal.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the New START treaty? The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) is a nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, limiting the number of strategic nuclear warheads both countries can deploy.
- When does the New START treaty expire? The New START treaty is set to expire on February 5, 2021.
- What did Trump say about renewing the treaty? Trump stated in an interview with the New York Times that he would let the treaty expire and that “we’ll make a better deal.” He also suggested involving China in any future nuclear arms control agreement.
- Why does Trump want to include China in the treaty? Trump believes that China, with its rapidly growing nuclear arsenal, should be part of any future nuclear arms control agreement to replace the New START.
- How has China responded to Trump’s proposal? China has dismissed Trump’s proposal, arguing that the nuclear forces of the US and Russia far outweigh their own.
