Trading older 13.5-inch battleships for new treaty construction

If Britain entered the treaty negotiations with 25 capital ships and still wanted new 16-inch ships, would the smaller US fleet face a bargaining problem?

Yes. Britain could offer its older 13.5-inch ships as concessions while pressing for new 16-inch construction.

Older 13.5-inch battleships gave Britain tonnage it could surrender while seeking permission for new 16-inch ships. A larger inherited fleet therefore offered bargaining options. Britain could concede ships it wanted to replace while preserving its case for modern construction.