Trump Proposes Denuclearization with Russia and China, Cuts Military Budget in Half

President Donald Trump stated his intention to "denuclearize" the United States, along with Russia and China, with the goal of reducing America’s military budget by half. This announcement comes as European government officials have expressed concern over Trump’s recent comments about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump’s Nuclear Future

In a meeting with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that there is no need for the United States to build new nuclear weapons, as it already possesses a significant arsenal. "There’s no reason for us to be building brand new nuclear weapons, we already have so many," he said. "You could destroy the world 50 times over, 100 times over. And here we are building new nuclear weapons, and they’re building nuclear weapons."

Cozying Up to Authoritarian Leaders

Trump’s motivations for his proposal are likely to be questioned, given his close relationships with authoritarian leaders around the world. He mentioned that he wants to meet with President Xi of China and President Putin of Russia to discuss reducing the military budget in half. "One of the first meetings I want to have is with President Xi of China, President Putin of Russia," Trump said.

China’s Nuclear Capabilities

Trump warned that China may be close to catching up with the United States in terms of nuclear capabilities, but it would take five or six years. He also stated that if nuclear weapons are ever used in the future, it would be "oblivion." "If there’s ever a time when we need nuclear weapons, like the kind of weapons that we’re building and that Russia has and that China has to a lesser extent but will have, that’s going to be a very sad day. That’s going to be probably oblivion," Trump said.

International Trade and Diplomacy

The White House press conference also touched on other topics, including international trade. Trump expressed his intention to impose more tariffs on Europe, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Vice President JD Vance is currently in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, but he will not be meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, reportedly as a "serious diplomatic rebuke."

Defense Secretary’s Message

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is also in Europe, sending signals to America’s allies that the United States should not be responsible for helping on the continent if another war breaks out. "Make no mistake, President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into ‘Uncle Sucker,’" Hegseth said during a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Shift in US Diplomacy

The Trump administration’s signals suggest that it is open to discussing with America’s geopolitical adversaries, such as Russia and China. This shift in diplomacy may come as a surprise to those who are unfamiliar with the rapid changes that can occur when a strongman is in office.