A potential agreement encompassing nuclear security could form part of a wider accord negotiated directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reports suggest.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that President Donald Trump seeks a comprehensive agreement with China, including provisions for nuclear weapons security, citing White House advisors. This proposed agreement, according to the NYT, would go beyond trade, incorporating substantial Chinese investments and commitments to purchase more American goods. The deal would also address nuclear security, a matter Trump plans to discuss directly with President Xi Jinping, according to “more than half a dozen” current and former Trump advisors who spoke with the NYT.
Michael Pillsbury, a China expert who advised Trump during his first-term trade negotiations, informed the NYT that Trump shared his desire to secure a mutually beneficial deal with Xi “a few months ago.”
Advisors acknowledge significant hurdles, particularly the Trump administration’s lack of clearly defined objectives for Beijing.
While China is considered a major national security threat, it also holds significant importance as a major trading partner and key player in areas like nuclear security, technology, and pandemic preparedness.
The Pentagon recently identified China as the US’s top defense priority, characterizing it as a “peer competitor” with the capacity and intention to threaten US national interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
Last week, Trump proposed talks with China and Russia to reduce nuclear stockpiles and halve defense budgets. He expressed hope to meet with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin “when things calm down.”
The NYT reported that some Chinese analysts have downplayed the likelihood of a deal, citing Chinese officials’ caution regarding Trump and expectation of continued tensions. However, reports suggest China is developing a proposal to encourage renewed talks with the US president.
US-China relations deteriorated during Trump’s first term, culminating in a trade war after the imposition of billions of dollars in tariffs on Chinese goods in 2018, citing unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. China retaliated, deepening the conflict. A Phase One trade deal was reached in early 2020, but many commitments fell short, partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Trump recently imposed new tariffs on key trading partners, including a 10% duty on Chinese imports, in addition to existing levies. China strongly opposed this move, retaliating with tariffs on US exports and urging Washington to return to negotiations.
Both China and Russia have indicated willingness to cooperate with the US on nuclear disarmament. Beijing reaffirmed its “no first use” policy in response to Trump’s proposed nuclear talks.
Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, stated that substantive disarmament discussions could resume if Washington alters its stance. The last binding US-Russia nuclear arms treaty is set to expire next year.