Today, representatives from the United States and the People’s Republic of China are holding rare nuclear arms control talks. This is an encouraging announcement and a clear break from the ongoing tension between Washington and Beijing.
For months, our nations have been bogged down by a wider narrative of “strategic competition,” with both world powers criticizing the other’s impact on regional and global security. Given that context, the announcement of these talks is a strong reaffirmation of the vital role of arms control in maintaining global peace.
A Sliver of Hope for Arms Control
The announcement of this meeting is a breath of fresh air after years of diplomatic stagnation between the two countries. The Chinese government had previously rejected a proposal for trilateral arms control talks under the Trump administration on the basis that China’s arsenal is drastically smaller than those of the United States and Russia.
Today’s talks demonstrate that even amid escalating tensions and political discord, opportunities remain for deliberation, understanding, and mutual recognition that nuclear war cannot be won and, thus, must not be fought.
Since then, U.S. policymakers have been concerned by China’s nuclear expansion. The United States has also taken steps in a worrying direction. Recently, a Congressionally-appointed commission published a laundry list of recommendations for building up our nuclear forces and military capacity more broadly, subjugating arms control and fueling the self-sustaining momentum of an arms race in the process.
This meeting also breaks with the concerning trend of pessimism on multilateral arms control and diplomacy writ large, flowing in part from the failure of the United States and Russia to negotiate a renewal of the New START Treaty. This agreement, which is set to expire in 2026, is the last remaining bilateral arms control treaty between the countries with the largest arsenals in the world.
There is a critical need for China, Russia, and the United States to uphold their moral responsibility to communicate with one another to avoid nuclear risks. Our leaders must shift away from the punitive rhetoric that has contributed to heightened competition. While the outcomes of these talks are unclear, they offer a much-needed moment for reflection and discernment in an unprecedented era of unrestrained arms racing.
FCNL is hopeful that these initial talks can lay the groundwork for continuing formal dialogue on risk reduction. For now, they are a welcome signal of the power of diplomacy to break through militaristic impulses.
The Moral Imperative for Earnest Discourse
For years, the nuclear debate within the United States has been moving in the wrong direction. Recent high-level recommendations that the United States strengthen its reliance on nuclear weapons underscores this concern.
Today’s talks demonstrate that even amid escalating tensions and political discord, opportunities remain for deliberation, understanding, and mutual recognition that nuclear war cannot be won and, thus, must not be fought.
Our nations’ leaders have a moral responsibility to communicate and pursue peace with each other on behalf of their citizens. This consultation between the United States and China is a commendable step away from an unchecked buildup of nuclear arms and toward peace.
