Donald Trump’s order for the U.S. to resume nuclear testing comes in the immediate wake of Russia testing its new Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile. The former president, however, cited different intelligence in his public justification, alleging secret tests by both Russia and China.
During a television interview, Trump was asked if the U.S. would detonate a nuclear weapon for the first time in over three decades. He responded that the U.S. would “test nuclear weapons like other countries do,” specifically naming Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan as nations currently testing.
China’s foreign ministry flatly denied Trump’s claim, issuing a statement that Beijing “upheld a self-defence nuclear strategy.” The ministry reinforced that China has always “abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
Trump’s rhetoric also focused on the size of the U.S. arsenal. “We have more nuclear weapons than any other country,” he said, claiming the U.S. could “blow up the world 150 times.” He asserted that Russia has “a lot” of weapons, while China is a “distant third.”
The order to the “Department of War” to begin testing “immediately” was first made on social media. Trump claimed the U.S. arsenal was completely renovated during his first term, but that this new testing was necessary to maintain parity.