Eleanor Finch
Former US President Donald Trump has been known to make controversial comments on diplomacy and nuclear arms control matters. In 2018, Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, a multinational agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He also rejected Russia's proposal to extend the New START treaty, the last remaining treaty limiting the world's two largest nuclear arsenals. In 2025, Trump expressed his desire to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran, stating that he preferred a peaceful resolution over military action. To resolve the migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border, Trump proposed a nuclear option, allowing the military to control a 'buffer zone' to detain illegal migrants. These statements and actions have sparked debates and raised concerns about Trump's approach to diplomacy and nuclear issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trump's Diplomacy | Nuclear Diplomacy with North Korea, Negotiations with Iran |
| Trump's Comments on Nuclear Issues | Trump has made comments about the US having the "most powerful military" and has warned against a nuclear-armed Iran |
| Trump's Actions on Nuclear Arms Control | Dithered and delayed on nuclear arms control, rejected Russia's proposal to extend the New START treaty |
| Trump's Border Policy | Taking a 'nuclear option' by allowing the military to control a 'buffer zone' at the US-Mexico border to address the migrant crisis |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's Nuclear Diplomacy with North Korea
In 2025, former US President Donald Trump claimed that he shared a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, despite the latter's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests. Trump's approach to North Korea's nuclear program has been described as "nuclear diplomacy," aiming for denuclearization through negotiations and coercive measures.
Trump held several summits with Kim Jong Un during his first term, including the historic first US-DPRK summit in Singapore, which resulted in an agreement satisfying both sides' key demands. However, the subsequent meeting in Hanoi fell short of expectations. Trump's strategy seemed to involve exerting maximum pressure on North Korea, leveraging military actions in other regions, and coordinating with allies like South Korea to impose economic sanctions and conduct joint military exercises.
Trump's recognition of North Korea as a "nuclear power" in his second term raised questions about his approach. While he affirmed his commitment to denuclearization, Kim Jong Un's growing nuclear arsenal strengthened Pyongyang's bargaining position. The resistance of hardline North Korean officials to engaging with Washington and their confidence in their military capabilities posed challenges to Trump's diplomacy.
In conclusion, Trump's nuclear diplomacy with North Korea was a complex and challenging endeavor. While he pursued denuclearization, Kim Jong Un's advancements in nuclear and missile technology and the internal dynamics within North Korea's leadership complicated the process. Trump's approach, which included a combination of negotiations, coercive measures, and military posturing, did not ultimately lead to North Korea's denuclearization during his presidency.
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Trump's Disingenuous Disarmament Diplomacy
In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed interest in negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran, a country that Western officials fear could soon acquire the capability to produce nuclear weapons. This interest in diplomacy with Iran comes after Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, during his first term in office. Trump's withdrawal from the multinational agreement aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Instead, he restored his "maximum pressure" campaign, which included efforts to drive Iran's oil exports to zero.
Trump's approach to nuclear diplomacy has been inconsistent and disingenuous. While he has pursued negotiations with some countries, such as Iran, his administration has delayed and dithered on nuclear arms control matters, rejected extensions of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), and threatened to build up the U.S. deployed arsenal. These actions have increased tensions with Russia and China and raised concerns about a costly and dangerous global nuclear arms race.
Trump's nuclear diplomacy with North Korea has also been inconsistent. While there was a historic US-DPRK summit in Singapore that yielded an agreement, subsequent actions, such as Vice President Pence's arrogant behaviour and the U.S.'s "maximum pressure" campaign, have undermined progress. South Korean President Moon Jae In has attempted to promote US-DPRK diplomacy, even going against his supporters' wishes, but Pyongyang has held relations with Seoul hostage to its engagement with Washington.
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Trump's Nuclear Deal with Iran
In 2018, during his first term as president, Donald Trump withdrew the US from the multinational agreement with Iran, intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. This agreement, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, was initially reached by Trump's predecessor, President Obama, in 2015.
Trump's withdrawal from the deal was met with criticism, with Iran's Khamenei stating that America's unilateral exit was proof that the US couldn't be trusted and that negotiations with America were pointless. Despite this, in 2025, Trump expressed his desire to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran, stating that he would prefer a peaceful resolution over military action. Trump sent a letter to Iran's leadership, urging them to reach a new nuclear deal, but Iran responded through Oman that they would not engage in direct negotiations while under the US's "maximum pressure" campaign and military threats.
Trump threatened Iran with ""bad things"" and bombing if a deal was not reached, stating that Iran could not be allowed to have nuclear weapons. He also mentioned the possibility of secondary tariffs as a consequence. In response, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the prospect of nuclear talks, asserting that negotiations would not address Iran's problems. Iranian officials maintained that their nuclear program was for peaceful purposes, even as they threatened to pursue the development of nuclear weapons.
Trump's approach to the situation with Iran stands in contrast to his predecessor's agreement, and the outcome of his negotiations remains uncertain.
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Trump's Nuclear Option at the Southern Border
In 2018, during his first term as president, Donald Trump withdrew from the multinational agreement with Iran, designed to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons. This move was criticised by Iran's Supreme Leader, Khamenei, who claimed that it was proof the U.S. could not be trusted.
Trump's approach to nuclear diplomacy has been described as "disingenuous". In his dealings with Russia, for example, he has rejected proposals to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), and threatened to build up the U.S. deployed arsenal. This has been interpreted as a costly and dangerous strategy, which could lead to a global nuclear arms race.
Trump's nuclear diplomacy with North Korea has also been scrutinised. While the first-ever US-DPRK summit meeting in Singapore yielded an agreement, Trump's Vice-President, Pence, has taken a hardline stance, urging North Korea not to "misjudge the will of the US".
In March 2025, Trump threatened Iran with "bad things" unless it accepted a deal with the U.S. on its nuclear program. He said, "My big preference is that we work it out with Iran, but if we don't work it out, bad, bad things are gonna happen to Iran".
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Trump's Nuclear Diplomacy with Russia
In 2018, during his first term as president, Donald Trump withdrew from the multinational agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. This agreement had been reached by his predecessor, President Obama, three years prior. Trump's decision was based on his "'maximum pressure' campaign", which aimed to drive Iran's oil exports to zero and weaken its economy to stop its nuclear program.
In 2025, Trump threatened Iran with "bad things" unless it accepted a new nuclear deal. He sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, threatening military action if no deal was reached in two months. Trump stated his preference for a peaceful resolution, but if negotiations failed, there would be "bad, bad things" for Iran.
Trump's comments sparked concern among US allies, particularly Israel, an arch-foe of Tehran. Russia offered to mediate between the US and Iran, with the Kremlin vowing to facilitate a peaceful solution to tensions over Tehran's nuclear program. Despite this, Trump's diplomacy with Russia regarding the Iran nuclear issue has been described as a "'game of broken telephone'." His efforts to negotiate a ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin resulted in confusion and mixed messages.
Trump has also expressed interest in nuclear talks with Russia directly. In 2020, he discussed the "denuclearization" of the US and Russia with Putin, but China's refusal to engage in trilateral talks hindered progress. Trump's suggestion to "'cut [the] military budget in half'" and his statement that there was "'no reason to build brand-new nuclear weapons'" may have influenced China's decision to abstain.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Trump has made several comments about diplomacy and nuclear. In 2025, he expressed his desire to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran, stating that he hoped for a peaceful resolution. However, he also warned of potential military action if a deal could not be reached.
Trump's comments about diplomacy and nuclear with Iran led to him sending a letter to Iran's leader to negotiate a nuclear deal. While Iran dismissed the letter as a "repetitive show", Trump's administration saw it as a potential diplomatic opening with a weakened Iran.
Trump's nuclear diplomacy with North Korea resulted in the first-ever US-DPRK summit in Singapore, which yielded an agreement that satisfied both sides. However, subsequent negotiations in Hanoi did not lead to further progress, and North Korea's nuclear and missile arsenal continued to grow.
During his presidency, Trump has been criticized for delaying action on nuclear arms control matters. He rejected Russia's proposal to extend the New START treaty and pursued a strategy that could lead to a costly and dangerous global nuclear arms race. His administration has also threatened to build up the U.S. deployed arsenal and increase spending on nuclear capabilities.
