Trump demands Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons testing, citing strategic competition with Russia and China. He announced the decision ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “The United States 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 added, “Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”
The United States halted nuclear testing in 1992 under a Congress-mandated moratorium. During Trump’s first term, cabinet members reportedly considered reversing the moratorium after allegations surfaced that China and Russia had conducted secret underground low-yield nuclear tests, which both countries denied.
Recent estimates by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicate that the US possesses 5,177 nuclear warheads, Russia holds 5,459, and China is projected to reach 1,500 by 2035. The US recently test-fired an unarmed, nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in February and launched four Trident II missiles from a submarine in September. Earlier this month, Russia tested its nuclear-capable Burevestnik cruise missile, powered by a small nuclear reactor that gives it an almost unlimited range.
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