China Must Be Involved in Nuclear Arms Control Talks, US Senator Urges

Senator Deb Fischer, a key figure overseeing American strategic forces, has articulated a clear stance on the future of nuclear arms control: China must be brought to the table. Speaking on Monday, Fischer stressed that any new verifiable treaty must include accountability and enforcement mechanisms involving both Russia and China. This position reflects a growing consensus in Washington that effective arms control in the 21st century necessitates the participation of all major nuclear powers.

Fischer's remarks directly address China's repeated assertions that it will not join a bilateral US-Russia arms control agreement. Beijing has consistently maintained that its nuclear arsenal is far smaller than those of the US and Russia and has no intention of engaging in an arms race. However, analysts suggest that China is seeking strategic parity before committing to multilateral talks, a position that complicates the arms control landscape.

The senator's call for China's inclusion is also framed within the broader context of US nuclear modernization efforts. The article notes that former President Trump had ordered the US military to resume nuclear weapons tests for the first time in 33 years, signaling a potential shift in US nuclear posture. Fischer's emphasis on modernization and verifiable treaties underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, where strategic competition intersects with the urgent need for global stability.

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We need to be able to have a verifiable [treaty] and ensure accountability under treaties, and have them enforced with Russia and with China.