Former President Donald Trump has suggested a trilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss nuclear disarmament. Trump expressed his desire for global denuclearization, stating that current nuclear arsenals are excessive and that the funds could be better allocated elsewhere. He mentioned this goal during a press conference, indicating he would formally propose halving military budgets to both leaders early in a potential second term.
Trump highlighted the immense cost of maintaining and developing nuclear weapons, referencing the projected $756 billion the U.S. is expected to spend between 2023 and 2032. He emphasized the destructive potential of these weapons, echoing similar comments made at the Davos World Economic Forum in January.
This proposal comes as the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine are engaged in negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict. Trump suggested that broader denuclearization talks would be pursued more actively once the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine stabilizes.
While the U.S. has significantly reduced its nuclear arsenal since the Cold War, it still maintains a substantial number of warheads. Russia and China also possess significant nuclear capabilities, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
Trump's previous attempts at nuclear negotiations with Russia and China during his first term were unsuccessful, with the extension of the New START treaty falling through. He attributed this failure to the 2020 election results. He also recently spoke with both Putin and Zelenskyy, urging an end to the war in Ukraine and threatening further sanctions against Russia if the conflict continues.
