U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered the resumption of U.S. nuclear weapons testing, directly naming Russia and China. The remark came barely an hour before a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and is expected to further heighten military tensions between the United States and China.
According to Reuters and Agence France-Presse, Trump said on the 30th (local time) on his social media, Truth Social, "Due to other countries' nuclear weapons testing programs, I have directed the Ministry of National Defense (Department of War) to begin nuclear weapons testing on equal terms." He added, "This procedure will begin immediately."
The "other countries" Trump mentioned are interpreted to refer to Russia and China. He said, "The United States possesses more nuclear weapons than any other country," claiming, "This is the result of completely modernizing and upgrading existing nuclear weapons during my first term."
He also said, "Because of the tremendous destructive power, I did not want to make such a decision, but there was no choice," adding, "Russia is No. 2, and China is still No. 3, but it could be caught up within five years."
Trump's announcement came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the completion of tests of the new nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile "Burevestnik." At a meeting of military commanders on the 26th (local time), Putin said, "The decisive test of Burevestnik has been completed, and Russia's nuclear deterrent is at the highest level."
Putin went on to say on the 29th that Russia had also succeeded in testing the "Poseidon," a nuclear-powered underwater unmanned vehicle (drone) capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, as the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) limiting the number of strategic nuclear weapons approaches in Feb. next year, Russia has proposed to the United States a one-year extension.
Trump's latest announcement is seen as both a response to moves by China and Russia to strengthen their nuclear forces and an attempt to secure the upper hand at the negotiating table ahead of the U.S.-China summit.