The United States is attempting to regain control of Bagram airbase from the Taliban, President Donald Trump has said, in a move to reclaim a key strategic asset relinquished during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers on Thursday, the president confirmed that negotiations were under way with the Taliban for American forces to reoccupy the site, once the largest US military installation in Afghanistan. He described Bagram as an important regional foothold due to its proximity to China.
“One of the biggest airbases in the world. We gave it to them for nothing. We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said. “We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us. We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.”
The president’s remarks are likely to cause concern among Western allies, who have been closely monitoring relations between Washington and Beijing amid fears that rising tensions could trigger further economic instability or even military confrontation.
Trump has repeatedly criticised his predecessor, Joe Biden, for the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he claims left American weapons, equipment and bases in Taliban hands. He has previously stated that his own withdrawal plan would have retained Bagram, not for operations in Afghanistan but because of its strategic location near China’s nuclear missile facilities.
Bagram airfield, with its 11,800ft (3,600m) runway built from heavy concrete and steel, is capable of accommodating bombers and large cargo aircraft. In February, Trump claimed that China was occupying the base, a claim the Taliban has denied. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid insisted the airfield remained under Afghan control.
Reports suggest the Taliban has shown interest in improving relations with the United States after facing international isolation over human rights abuses and ongoing security concerns.
In a separate development, Trump signalled frustration with Russian president Vladimir Putin over the continuing war in Ukraine. He said he had expected the conflict to be resolved “within days” of taking office, but added: “He’s really let me down … I thought it might be among the easiest of the group.”
