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Trump Xi summit risks missing nuclear truth as China surges warheads and delivery tech
International
Published on 14 May 2026
US says China may have hidden nuclear blasts using decoupling
While Trump and Xi’s meeting may focus on trade, tech, Taiwan and AI, analysts argue nuclear weapons are the most urgent issue. After New START expired in February, US arms-control officials warned China is expanding and modernising its atomic arsenal, estimating 600 warheads now and 1,000 by 2030, alongside new delivery systems. The US also alleged China conducted nuclear tests using “decoupling” to evade monitoring, claims China denies.
- US-China talks this week may downplay nuclear weapons
- China is estimated at about 600 warheads, projected to hit 1,000 by 2030
- US has roughly 3,700 warheads total, with about 1,770 deployed
- Allegations include nuclear tests using a “decoupling” technique to mask seismic signals
- China is modernising delivery vehicles that could challenge US missile defenses
- China’s official stance still cites no first use, but analysts say posture has grown more provocative
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times