Donald Trump revealed he discussed denuclearization with both President Putin and President Xi, but then proceeded to order a resumption of U.S. nuclear testing. This contradictory stance was defended by claims that both Russia and China are secretly testing.
“I did actually discuss that with both President Putin and President Xi,” Trump said, referring to denuclearization. However, he also claimed, “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it,” and vowed the U.S. would not be “the only country that doesn’t test.”
China’s foreign ministry denied the claims, stating it is a “responsible” nuclear power committed to its testing suspension.
Trump’s order to the “Department of War” was posted on social media. He also boasted of U.S. nuclear might, claiming the arsenal could “blow up the world 150 times.”
This escalation has sparked fears of a new arms race and has created confusion over the future of U.S. nuclear policy, which has abided by a testing moratorium since 1992.