PRESIDENT TRUMP’S NEW START PROBLEMS
By Jason Sibert
Securing our country through arms control means providing security via fewer weapons while spending less money.
The House of Representatives held hearings on the extension of the New Start Treaty on Dec. 4. Under the 2011 treaty, both the United States and Russia must cap the number of strategic nuclear arsenals at 1,550 deployed warheads, 700 deployed missiles and heavy bombers, and 800 deployed and non-deployed missile launchers and bombers. The treaty fulfills the goals of arms control in helping to move toward a more peaceful and less armed world. High profile names such as former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, former Undersecretary of State for Arms Control Rose Gottemoeller, and former Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Kenneth Meyers all testified in support of the treaty.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled a willingness to extend the treaty, but President Donald Trump seems to be undecided on an extension. Trump is fixated on reaching a more comprehensive deal that includes China and various types of nuclear weapons, according to reports. Such a deal would be positive and would meet the goals of arms control.
Trump has said China is excited about such a deal but statements from the country’s hierarchy contradict his statement. Russia has expressed concern about Trump’s desire for a broader agreement. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) has said that he hopes the President doesn’t use China as an excuse to blow up a successful arms control agreement. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said that extending the agreement would give us more time to negotiate a broader agreement that would include China. In addition, two bills expressing support of extension of New Start failed to pass this year.
President Trump has backed himself into a corner on New Start. While he seems to support an extension under certain conditions, much of his foreign policy agenda – consistent with views called right-wing populism – rejects the goals of arms control. So far, Trump has withdrawn from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He also withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords, not an arms control treaty.
Why does any country enter into an arms control agreement with a President who seems to reject the concept on so many levels? Other countries are unlikely to respond to “America First” political thought. Senator Shaheen could be right on Trump’s attitude toward New Start. If the President refuses to extend New Start because a deal can’t be reached with China, then we could be walking into a future with one fewer law to control the deadly arsenals that threaten our world.
Jason Sibert is the Executive Director of the Peace Economy Project
