Donald Trump has declared that the U.S. will begin nuclear testing “on an equal basis” with its rivals, primarily Russia and China, whom he accuses of conducting their own tests in secret. This move threatens a decades-long moratorium on U.S. nuclear explosions.
The former president announced the directive on Truth Social, writing, “Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.”
China has categorically denied the allegations. A foreign ministry spokesperson stated that China maintains a “self-defence nuclear strategy” and has “abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
In a ‘60 minutes’ interview, Trump expanded on his claims. “I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t test,” he said, naming Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan as active testers.
Trump also boasted of U.S. nuclear superiority, claiming the U.S. has more weapons “than any other country” and that the arsenal was renovated during his first term. The order follows reports of Russia testing its Burevestnik nuclear-powered missile.
