How larger British guns could reshape treaty limits

How would larger British capital-ship guns affect later naval treaties?

They would push the United States toward more construction and could raise the treaty ceiling to 16.5 inches, with catch-up allowances threatening a renewed building race.

If British 13.5-inch ships instead carried 14-inch guns and the 15-inch ships carried 16-inch weapons, the Royal Navy would possess the largest force of 16-inch capital ships. The United States would have stronger reason to build, while Britain would find it harder to justify Nelson and Rodney. A separate 16.5-inch variant would raise the prospective treaty ceiling still further. Allowing other navies new ships to catch up could then prompt Britain to demand the same right, renewing the construction race.