News Brief
Trump Confirms Plan To Resume US Nuclear Testing, Citing Russia And China Ahead Of Xi Meeting In South Korea
US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday (31 October) that the United States will resume nuclear testing, citing actions by Russia and China, reported The Times Of India.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One in Midair, Trump gave a cautious response when asked about traditional underground nuclear tests. “You'll find out very soon. But we're going to do some testing, yeah,” he said.
“Other countries do it. If they're going to do it, we're going to do it. I'm not going to say here,” He added.
Earlier this week, Trump directed the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons testing, emphasising that the US has more nuclear weapons than any other country.
“This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my first term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!” he wrote in a Truth Social post.
Trump’s announcement came shortly before a highly anticipated trade meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
When reporters asked if the decision related to China or Russia, he said, “We don’t do testing, and we halted it many years ago, but with others doing testing, I think it's appropriate that we do also.”
International treaties such as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (1997) restricted testing in the atmosphere, underwater, and underground.
Experts warn that renewed tests are unnecessary since the US already certifies its arsenal via simulations.
They estimate each test could cost $140 million and trigger a global arms race.
Trump allies suggested that testing will demonstrate strength to China and Russia, though analysts caution it could alienate allies and undermine nuclear restraint.
