Trump wants the US to resume nuclear testing, citing other countries’ programs, saying “I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t test
By Asaye Bankole
President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan have secretly conducted underground nuclear tests, and the US will follow suit. “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it,” he told CBS’s “60 Minutes”.
Trump wants the US to resume nuclear testing, citing other countries’ programs, saying “I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t test”. His order has sparked confusion, particularly whether he means conducting the country’s first nuclear explosion since 1992.
The 79-year-old Republican politician surprised everyone when he announced on social media on Thursday, just before meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, that he plans to test nuclear weapons.
This comes after Russia said it tested a new nuclear-powered cruise missile called Burevestnik and a nuclear-powered underwater drone.
When asked by CBS if he plans to detonate a nuclear weapon for the first time in over 30 years, Trump said, “I’m saying we’re going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes.” No country except North Korea has done a nuclear test in decades. Russia and China last tested nuclear weapons in 1990 and 1996, respectively. Trump added, “They don’t announce it, you know.”
“These tests are powerful, but the world is vast, and it’s not always clear where they’re conducting them,” he said. “They often test deep underground, so the public isn’t always aware of what’s happening. You might feel a slight vibration, though.”
When asked about these comments on Monday, China’s foreign ministry denied conducting nuclear tests. Mao Ning, a spokeswoman, stated at a press conference in Beijing that China is a responsible nuclear power and has always followed a self-defense nuclear strategy, honoring its commitment to halt nuclear testing.
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