US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US and China have achieved 'strategic stability' in their relationship, urging a new nuclear control agreement involving the US, Russia, and China ahead of the upcoming Trump-Xi summit. Rubio made the comments at a Caribbean Community meeting, stressing that such a deal would benefit the world, even as China has publicly declined to join.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday at a press conference during a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis that the US and China now have 'strategic stability' in their long-fractious relationship. The remarks come as a crucial summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping approaches.
Rubio stressed that any true arms control agreement in the 21st century must involve China. 'We think ultimately, in the 21st century, for there to be a true arms control agreement, it has to involve China,' he said. 'They have publicly said they are not willing to do it … But we’ll continue to press on it because we think it would be good for the world if we could reach such an agreement.'
The Trump administration has rejected Moscow's offer to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New Start) for another year, pushing instead for an 'improved' deal that includes China. China has not responded, but Rubio indicated the US will keep pressing the issue.
This position reflects Washington's strategic shift in nuclear arms control to address a multipolar nuclear landscape. Key locations mentioned include Moscow, Washington, Geneva, and Lop Nur.
