US Proposes New Nuclear Deal Including China as US-Russia “New START” Expires, Beijing Responds

Washington: Following the expiration of the New START treaty on February 5, 2026, the Trump administration has proposed a new trilateral nuclear agreement that would include China alongside the United States and Russia. The proposal aims to set fresh limits on nuclear weapons amid growing concerns over China’s rapidly expanding arsenal.

New Deal Proposal After US-Russia Treaty Ends

The New START treaty, which regulated strategic nuclear arsenals between the US and Russia, officially ended on February 5, removing formal constraints on the two powers. In response, the US has called for negotiations to include China, citing the need to address global strategic stability beyond the traditional bilateral framework.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that nuclear arms control is no longer solely a US-Russia issue. He noted that other countries, particularly China, play a key role in ensuring global strategic balance. “China is secretly expanding its nuclear stockpile at an unprecedented pace,” Rubio said.

China Signals No Intention to Join Talks

On February 6, one day after the treaty’s expiration, China officially responded, stating that it has no plans to join any nuclear disarmament negotiations at this stage. Beijing’s position indicates that China is unlikely to participate in the new US-proposed nuclear deal in the near term.

Allegations of Secret Nuclear Expansion

US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Dinano, speaking at a United Nations disarmament conference in Geneva, accused China of taking advantage of the legally binding US-Russia restraints to expand its nuclear arsenal secretly. Dinano warned that China could produce up to 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030, while maintaining minimal transparency.

He further alleged that China conducts covert nuclear explosive tests, including preparations for high-yield detonations, citing an event on June 22, 2020, as an example. According to Dinano, Beijing attempts to obscure its nuclear testing to avoid international scrutiny.

Beijing Rejects US Allegations

Chinese Ambassador Shen Jian called the US accusations “irresponsible,” reaffirming that China will not participate in nuclear disarmament talks at this stage. He stated that countries with the largest nuclear stockpiles must continue to fulfill their primary responsibilities toward nuclear arms control.

Global Context

Currently, the US and Russia together control more than 80% of the world’s nuclear weapons. However, China’s nuclear capabilities are expanding rapidly. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports that since 2023, China has been producing approximately 100 new nuclear weapons each year, making its arsenal the fastest-growing among nuclear powers.

The US push for a trilateral nuclear deal highlights growing concerns over strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific and global security, as China continues to expand its nuclear capabilities in secret.