Trump Proposes US-China-Russia Denuclearization Summit, Threatening to Reshape Global Security

In foreign wire service reports today, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that he is willing to participate in a trilateral summit convened jointly by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, hinting that the agenda might focus on "denuclearization." Although politically abrupt given that Trump left office in 2021, the remarks indicate a continuing desire by the U.S. for multilateral dialogue on nuclear security issues. If realized, the summit would mark the first time since the end of the Cold War that the three nuclear powers have gathered in a formal meeting format to discuss nuclear non-proliferation, carrying profound significance for the international security architecture.

Interactions among the United States, China, and Russia regarding nuclear weapons and arms control have undergone decades of twists, turns, and cooperation. The New START Treaty signed by the U.S. and Russia in 1991 completed its final expansion in 2011, providing a legal framework for the reduction of both nations' nuclear arsenals. China joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1992 and signed the U.S.-China Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement in 2007, maintaining close cooperation between the two countries in nuclear security and technology transfer. During his tenure, Trump repeatedly reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and signed the U.S.-Russia Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement in 2017, attempting to make progress in nuclear weapon management. If this trilateral summit can focus on denuclearization, it would serve as a supplement and upgrade to these bilateral and multilateral agreements.

The term "denuclearization" is often used in the context of international security to refer to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons. If the three countries can reach a consensus on this issue, it could inject new momentum into the global nuclear non-proliferation framework. Specifically, topics the three parties might discuss include how to strengthen safety regulations for nuclear materials, how to promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology, and how to establish more transparent mechanisms for nuclear arsenal management. If concrete action plans can be formulated and actually implemented, it would substantially reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation and lay the foundation for future nuclear disarmament negotiations.

For Taiwan, the outcome of this summit is likewise worthy of attention. U.S. commitments to Taiwan Strait security have consistently been underpinned by nuclear deterrence, while China has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan in recent years. If the three nations make progress on nuclear non-proliferation, it could somewhat alleviate regional military tensions and provide Taiwan with a more stable security environment. However, should the summit ultimately fail to reach concrete agreements or end in a stalemate due to conflicting national interests, Taiwan could still face uncertain security risks.

In summary, although Trump's remarks come from a former president, they reflect sustained U.S. attention to nuclear security issues. If the trilateral summit is implemented, it will represent a major milestone for the global nuclear non-proliferation cause and could have far-reaching impacts on international arms control and regional security. Future developments will still require observing the actual actions and commitments of the three countries during the talks.