Trump Advocates for New Nuclear Treaty

On Thursday, President Donald Trump expressed the view that the United States should not extend the current New START nuclear weapons agreement. Instead, he urged U.S. nuclear specialists to develop a “new, improved, and modernized treaty.”

These comments came via a post on Truth Social while his administration is weighing future strategies for U.S. nuclear arms control, particularly regarding whether to extend or replace New START, the last existing nuclear arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia.

In his post, Trump criticized the New START agreement, describing it as poorly negotiated and violated, suggesting that experts should focus on creating a more sustainable treaty. “Let our nuclear experts work on a new, improved and modernized treaty that will last long into the future,” he stated.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt reiterated the president’s message, confirming that discussions regarding a new treaty continue with Russia. “And that’s what the United States continues to discuss with the Russian side,” she mentioned during a press conference.

Additionally, Trump claimed a significant role in averting global nuclear conflicts, including tensions involving Pakistan and India, Iran and Israel, as well as Russia and Ukraine. However, a White House official noted that decisions on nuclear arms control are still in deliberation, and nothing has been finalized as of yet.

That official stated, “The president will decide on the future path for nuclear arms control and will make it clear on his own schedule.” This ongoing dialogue includes a desire to maintain limitations on nuclear weapons and involve China in future discussions.

Reports indicate that U.S. and Russian officials are assessing the viability of New START’s terms as it approaches expiration, but no formal extension has been reached, and any agreements are not legally binding.

As the expiration of New START looms, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that genuine arms control must include China due to its expanding nuclear stockpile. “If we’re going to have true arms control in the 21st century, it’s impossible to do anything that doesn’t include China,” he noted.