In a significant statement with global security implications, US President Donald Trump has expressed minimal concern about the impending expiration of the last major nuclear arms control pact with Russia, the New START treaty. Instead, he has pushed for a future agreement that includes China, which he views as a crucial player.
"If it expires, it expires": Trump's Stance on New START
In an exclusive interview with the New York Times on Wednesday, President Trump addressed the fate of the 2010 New START accord, which is set to expire on February 5. His response was notably nonchalant. "If it expires, it expires," he stated, adding, "We’ll just do a better agreement."
He emphasised that any future nuclear arms control framework must incorporate China, which possesses the world's fastest-growing nuclear arsenal. "You probably want to get a couple of other players involved also," Trump remarked, highlighting his administration's consistent position.
The treaty, which limits the US and Russia to 1,550 deployed warheads on 700 missiles, bombers, and submarines, cannot be extended again. Its only allowed extension was already used in 2021 when Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Joe Biden agreed to a five-year rollover.
China's Rejection and Trump's "Own Morality" as Limit
The proposal to include Beijing has been repeatedly spurned by China. The Chinese Embassy in Washington, through spokesperson Liu Pengyu, stated it is "neither reasonable nor realistic" to ask China to join US-Russia disarmament talks, arguing that its nuclear forces are dwarfed by the two superpowers. "China always keeps its nuclear strength at the minimum level required by national security," Liu asserted.
In the same interview, Trump made striking comments about the limits of his executive power, dismissing the binding nature of international law. "I don’t need international law," he said, clarifying, "I’m not looking to hurt people."
When questioned about constraints on his global authority, Trump pointed to a personal standard: "Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me." While he later conceded his administration should abide by international law, he positioned himself as the ultimate arbiter of its application to the United States.
Venezuela Precedent and Taiwan Tensions
These remarks follow recent US military action in Venezuela, described as a "large-scale attack." Critics have argued this sets a precedent that could justify actions by other nations, such as a Chinese move on Taiwan or a Russian attempt to seize Ukraine—a territory President Putin considers historically Russian.
When asked if he regretted creating such a precedent, Trump defended the Venezuela action as a response to a "real threat," citing issues like gang members and drugs entering the US. He contrasted this with China's view of Taiwan, a territory Beijing considers a separatist threat.
"That’s up to him, what he’s going to be doing," Trump said regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping's intentions toward Taiwan. "But, you know, I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I don’t think he’ll do that. I hope he doesn’t."
The confluence of these statements—on nuclear treaty expiry, the role of international law, and recent military engagements—paints a picture of an administration prioritising a unilateral and deal-based approach to global security, with significant consequences for strategic stability worldwide.
