Trump Downplays China-Russia-Iran Nuclear Talks, Suggests 'De-escalation' May Be on the Agenda

Donald Trump has once again offered his unique perspective on global affairs, this time downplaying the significance of an upcoming nuclear summit between Iran, Russia, and China in Beijing. Speaking from the Oval Office, the former president brushed aside concerns that the meeting between these U.S. adversaries could escalate tensions, suggesting instead that it might be an opportunity for "de-escalation" discussions.

"Well, maybe they're going to talk about non-nuclear problems. Maybe they're going to be talking about the de-escalation of nuclear weapons," Trump remarked, in a tone that seemed to mix optimism with a dose of his trademark bravado.

The timing of the Beijing summit is striking—it coincides with a United Nations Security Council meeting addressing Iran's concerning expansion of uranium enrichment to near weapons-grade levels. This also comes hot on the heels of Iran rejecting Trump’s previous overtures for nuclear negotiations.

Trump claimed that, had he won the 2016 election, he could have struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin on nuclear denuclearization. "The power of nuclear weapons is so great and so devastating," he said, adding that he believes such a deal would have been possible during his tenure.

However, Trump also issued a warning about China's nuclear ambitions, stating that Beijing could "catch us in five years" due to its rapid buildup of nuclear stockpiles. This timeline, however, doesn’t align with assessments from experts. The Pentagon estimates China’s arsenal currently sits at 600 nuclear weapons, and even projections for 2035 don’t see them matching the U.S. or Russia's stockpiles.

While Russia commands an estimated 5,580 nuclear weapons and the U.S. holds 5,225, China remains a distant third. Experts have dismissed claims that China could soon achieve parity, calling such scenarios "gross exaggerations." Even in the worst-case forecasts, China’s arsenal would still be far smaller than those of its global counterparts.

Meanwhile, concerns surrounding North Korea’s unchecked nuclear program continue to grow, especially as Pyongyang strengthens its ties with Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. North Korea, which is estimated to possess 50 nuclear weapons, remains a wild card in global nuclear politics.

Trump expressed hope for reducing nuclear stockpiles worldwide, calling even the current levels "unnecessary" given the catastrophic power of just one weapon. He also hinted at the possibility of future negotiations with North Korea, citing his "great relationship" with Kim Jong Un. "We’ll see what happens," he said, leaving the door open for diplomacy.