Nuclear Weapons: Trump Wants a Deal with Russia and China

On June 17, 2026, Donald Trump called for a trilateral nuclear disarmament deal involving the United States, Russia, and China, following the expiration of the New START treaty four months earlier. He noted that China now has 600 warheads, up from 250 in 2015, and is projected to reach 1,000 by 2030. China refused to discuss its nuclear program during Trump's state visit in May 2026. No verification mechanism has been in place since New START expired on February 5, 2026.