The world’s biggest nuclear powers may be talking about shrinking their arsenals, according to the president. But one of them may not be ready.
President Donald Trump said Oct. 15, 2026, that he is discussing denuclearization with the leaders of China and Russia, though he suggested Beijing may be less eager to take part.
What did Trump say about denuclearization?
In a television interview, Trump said he would love to denuclearize if possible and confirmed that his administration is talking with both Russia and China about denuclearization.
Asked whether he was holding discussions directly with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said he was but did not provide details.
He described the overall situation as a shame. Trump has floated the idea before. Early in his second term, he said he wanted to talk with Russia and China about reducing nuclear weapons and military spending. He has argued that the enormous sums spent on nuclear weapons could be used for other priorities.
Why might China resist denuclearization?
Trump said China is likely less inclined to pursue denuclearization because its arsenal is much smaller than those of the United States and Russia.
He said China is substantially behind the United States in nuclear weapons but could catch up within the next five years.
China has long argued that the two largest nuclear powers should cut their arsenals first before Beijing joins any arms control talks. Chinese officials have said their country keeps only the minimum force needed for its defense and has pledged never to use nuclear weapons first.
How big are the world’s nuclear arsenals?
Russia holds the largest inventory, with an estimated 5,420 nuclear warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists. The United States has about 5,042, and China has about 620. The group tracks nuclear stockpiles using public records, satellite imagery and government statements, and its figures are widely cited.
France follows with an estimated 370 warheads, the United Kingdom with 225 and India with 190.
Together, Russia and the United States hold the vast majority of the world’s nuclear weapons. Their combined stockpiles account for nearly 90% of the global total.
China’s arsenal has grown quickly in recent years. U.S. defense officials have projected it could pass 1,000 warheads by 2030. That buildup has raised concerns in Washington about a new arms race involving three major powers instead of two.
What is the state of arms control today?
Formal limits have largely disappeared. The New START treaty, the last major agreement capping U.S. and Russian deployed nuclear weapons, expired in February 2026. The treaty had limited each side to 1,550 deployed strategic warheads.
Russia suspended its participation in the treaty in 2023, and the two countries did not agree on a replacement before it ran out.
China has never been part of a binding agreement limiting its nuclear forces. Past U.S. efforts to bring China into arms control talks have gone nowhere.
What comes next for denuclearization talks?
Trump did not say whether formal negotiations are planned. He is expected to travel to China next month for the APEC summit in Shenzhen, which could offer a chance to discuss the issue with Xi in person. Trump has also said he may meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the trip.
Denuclearization talks involving three nuclear powers would be far more complex than past deals between Washington and Moscow alone. Verifying cuts would also require levels of access and transparency that China has historically resisted.
For now, the president’s comments signal interest in denuclearization, but the path to any agreement remains unclear. Any treaty would also need approval from the Senate.
