Trump aims to discuss arms race with China and Russia
US president plans to review military developments with counterparts and says it is crazy the US has a defence bill of $716bn
Washington — US President Donald Trump says he will discuss military developments with his counterparts from China and Russia in the future in the hopes of ending what he described as an arms race with the countries. “I am certain that, at some time in the future, President Xi [Jinping] and I, together with President [Vladimir] Putin of Russia, will start talking about a meaningful halt to what has become a major and uncontrollable arms race. The US spent 716 billion dollars this year. Crazy!” Trump wrote in a tweet, the day after he returned from the Group of 20 meeting in Argentina. Trump did not provide further details. He signed a $716bn defence policy bill in August that authorised military spending, strengthened rules to limit Chinese investment in US technology companies and increased spending on missile defenses. Earlier in 2018, the US military put countering China and Russia at the centre of a new national defence strategy, and will withdraw troops from other parts of the ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.