US and China Discuss Nuclear Site Visits to Build Trust Amid Arms Race Concerns

• •US and China are discussing reciprocal nuclear site visits to build trust.
• •China's expanding nuclear arsenal raises concerns for the US after arms control agreements expired.
• •Former officials stress the importance of these visits for future negotiations.

The US and China are in preliminary discussions about reciprocal visits to nuclear sites to foster trust and prevent an arms race. These talks emerged from concerns over China's expanding nuclear arsenal, especially after the expiration of the last arms control agreement with Russia in 2025. The idea was initially proposed by China, indicating a willingness to engage in confidence-building measures. Proposed visits include US Department of Energy national labs and equivalent Chinese facilities, with discussions occurring on the sidelines of UN Security Council meetings. Former US arms control official Paul Dean emphasized the potential value of these visits as a foundation for future negotiations. However, China has maintained that its smaller nuclear arsenal makes its involvement in such talks unnecessary. The next high-level meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is anticipated later this year.