11/24/1974
Ford and Brezhnev (USSR) sign the Vladivostok Accord, providing the basis for SALT II, which is signed in 1979 and evolves into START.

4/22/1975
Ford embarks on US-Iranian nuclear energy cooperation. NSC Memo: US-Iran Nuclear Cooperation. Also see the US’s Negotiating Position with Iran one year later NSC Memo and the origins of the deal one year prior NSC Study: US-Iran Agreement on Cooperation in Civil Uses of Atomic Energy

US Ad for Nuclear Energy.

6/27/1975
Brazilian President Lula da Silva signs an agreement with West German Chancellor Schmidt to obtain significant nuclear technology. Ford objects, but can only persuade West Germany to impose safeguards.

The Nuclear Suppliers Group, a multinational body dedicated to controlling the export and re-transfer of nuclear materials, is formed in response to Indian nuclear tests.

7/8/1975
Ford signs the Helsinki Accords, reducing Cold War tensions and moving towards détente. Ford’s Address Helsinki Accords, in Helsnki before the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. This policy is sharply criticized by Great Britain’s Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. See Thatcher’s Speech to Chelsea Conservative Association.

5/28/1976
Ford and Brezhnev (USSR) sign the Underground Nuclear Explosions for Peaceful Purposes (PNE) Treaty. The treaty clarifies and expands the Threshold Test Ban Treaty and enters into force in 1990.

Ford with Brezhnev

1977
In his State of the Union speech, Ford calls for the US to build the Trident missile launching submarine, B-1 bomber, and a more advanced ICBM.

Nuclear Stockpiles