“They don’t talk about it,” said President Donald Trump as he accused China and Russia of conducting covert nuclear tests. He used this unverified claim as the foundation for his new directive for the U.S. to resume its own testing.
During a CBS interview, Trump insisted that “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing.” He also named North Korea and Pakistan. He defended the lack of evidence by claiming the tests were “way underground” and unknown to the public.
China’s foreign ministry issued an immediate and firm denial. A spokesperson stated that China is a “responsible nuclear-weapons state” and has always honored its “commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
Trump’s order, first posted on social media, instructed the “Department of War” to begin testing “on an equal basis.” He claimed this was a reluctant move, but that he “had no choice.”
This escalation, which follows a new Russian missile test, has raised fears of a new arms race. Trump also claimed to have discussed denuclearization with both President Putin and President Xi, even as he signaled a major U.S. escalation.