China Calls on U.S. to Lead Nuclear Arms Control Following Trump's Proposal

In a response to President Trump’s recent call for collaboration on nuclear disarmament and military spending reduction with China and Russia, Chinese government officials emphasized that the U.S. should take the lead in these efforts. On February 14, 2025, during a briefing, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the uneven status of nuclear capabilities and military expenditures between China, the U.S., and Russia. Trump had expressed a willingness to engage both China and Russia in discussions to cut military budgets by half and avoid further development of new nuclear weapons. The Chinese spokesperson pointed out that since the U.S. has the largest nuclear arsenal and military budget in the world, it holds a significant responsibility to set an example in disarmament initiatives.

The conversation arises amidst heightened global tensions regarding nuclear capabilities, and China's position reflects its desire for the U.S. and Russia to take a more prominent role in the reduction of nuclear threats. With Trump’s assertion that “there’s no reason for us to be building brand-new nuclear weapons,” it remains to be seen how these discussions may unfold, considering the complexities of international relations regarding military power.

As the situation develops, both countries are expected to navigate through diplomacy and proposals aimed at increasing global security and establishing more sustainable military practices.