US and China Discuss Reciprocal Nuclear Site Visits as Arms Control Talks Stall
The Trump administration has discussed reciprocal visits to U.S. and Chinese nuclear facilities as a confidence-building step, according to CNN, with informal talks held on the sidelines of P5 meetings and no formal arms control negotiations yet underway.
The Trump administration has discussed starting reciprocal visits to nuclear sites with China and intends to keep raising the idea in face-to-face meetings over the coming months, according to CNN, which cited people familiar with the matter.
The conversations so far have been informal and preliminary, and have mostly taken place on the sidelines of meetings of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, known as the P5, according to CNN. The concept was first floated by the Chinese side during meetings with U.S. officials this year, one source told CNN, and the exchanges covered possible visits to U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories and comparable Chinese facilities. The United States would also be willing to discuss visits to nuclear testing sites, the source said.
A confidence-building step, not yet an agreement
Supporters of the idea describe reciprocal visits as a confidence-building measure that could eventually support broader work on strategic stability, according to CNN. No formal negotiations on a new arms control accord have begun. CNN reported that President Donald Trump endorsed trilateral arms control talks involving the United States, Russia and China when he met Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month, but that the two leaders did not discuss site visits at that meeting, citing a U.S. official.
The discussions come as Washington grows more concerned about the pace of China’s nuclear buildup. CNN reported that the United States holds roughly 5,000 nuclear warheads in total, while China has about 600 and is expected to add hundreds more over the next decade. China has resisted talks that could cap its arsenal before it reaches parity with the United States, according to CNN. The last remaining U.S.-Russia arms control agreement expired last year.
Experts urge caution
Former officials and analysts who spoke with CNN were divided on Beijing’s intentions. Some described reciprocal visits as a valuable way to reduce nuclear risk and build a foundation for further work, while others questioned whether the proposal was meant mainly to set a positive tone ahead of future summits. CNN reported that further lower-level discussions are expected before Trump and Xi meet again later this year.
Reporting based on coverage by CNN.
