Is China's Massive Missile Build-Up The Real Reason Why President Trump Decided To Exit The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty With Russia?

The mobile DF-26 is shown in a military parade in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region in 2017 celebrating the PLA's 90th birthday. CHINA DAILY

Japan Times: China’s missile buildup — a threat to U.S. bases in Japan — likely a key factor in Trump plan to exit INF

U.S. President Donald Trump has pinned much of the blame for Washington’s planned exit from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) on Russian violations of the landmark pact. But a closer look shows that China’s buildup of its missile forces — which pose a grave threat to U.S. military bases in Japan and elsewhere in the region — may also play a large part in any decision to abrogate the 31-year-old arms-control deal.

Trump on Sunday said the U.S. would scrap the 1987 treaty between Washington and Moscow, which bans all land-based missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 km (310 to 3,420 miles). The pact covers missiles, known as short- and intermediate-range, that can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads, but does not ban air- or sea-launched weapons.

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WNU Editor: When it comes to intermediate missiles, what Russia has done (and is doing) is not enough IMHO to raise U.S. concerns to a level that the treaty should end. It is what is happening in Asia that the real missile build-up is occurring. Not surprising, the Chinese have condemn this U.S. move to terminate the treaty .... China denounces U.S. withdrawal from nuclear treaty (UPI).