US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to launch a new nuclear testing program, matching those of Russia and China. The move comes as tensions between the US and its rivals continue to escalate.
According to Trump's post on Truth Social, he instructed the Department of War to start conducting nuclear tests "on an equal basis" with other countries. This move was made public just hours before a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, where both leaders were seeking to ease trade tensions between their nations.
The decision has sparked concern among experts, who note that the US last conducted a full-scale nuclear test in 1992. Since then, only North Korea has carried out such a test, and China and Russia have not held any since the same era. It remains unclear what specific nuclear testing program Trump has ordered, but it is believed to involve simulated nuclear explosions or other related experiments.
Trump's announcement comes as both Russia and China have been ramping up their nuclear capabilities in recent months. In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country had successfully tested a new nuclear-propelled cruise missile, which can carry a warhead. China has also been conducting nuclear tests, with reports suggesting it has carried out several tests since 2018.
The timing of Trump's announcement is particularly notable, given the current state of tensions between the US and its rivals. The US-Russia conflict in Ukraine has seen both sides engage in a heated exchange of rhetoric, while trade tensions with China remain high.
Critics have expressed alarm at Trump's statement, citing concerns about the potential risks of nuclear war. Some lawmakers have vowed to take action, including introducing legislation aimed at preventing further nuclear testing by the US.
Despite these concerns, it remains unclear how far Trump's order will go or what specific nuclear testing program he has ordered. One thing is certain, however: the move represents a significant escalation in tensions between the US and its rivals, and raises serious questions about the future of global security.
According to Trump's post on Truth Social, he instructed the Department of War to start conducting nuclear tests "on an equal basis" with other countries. This move was made public just hours before a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, where both leaders were seeking to ease trade tensions between their nations.
The decision has sparked concern among experts, who note that the US last conducted a full-scale nuclear test in 1992. Since then, only North Korea has carried out such a test, and China and Russia have not held any since the same era. It remains unclear what specific nuclear testing program Trump has ordered, but it is believed to involve simulated nuclear explosions or other related experiments.
Trump's announcement comes as both Russia and China have been ramping up their nuclear capabilities in recent months. In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country had successfully tested a new nuclear-propelled cruise missile, which can carry a warhead. China has also been conducting nuclear tests, with reports suggesting it has carried out several tests since 2018.
The timing of Trump's announcement is particularly notable, given the current state of tensions between the US and its rivals. The US-Russia conflict in Ukraine has seen both sides engage in a heated exchange of rhetoric, while trade tensions with China remain high.
Critics have expressed alarm at Trump's statement, citing concerns about the potential risks of nuclear war. Some lawmakers have vowed to take action, including introducing legislation aimed at preventing further nuclear testing by the US.
Despite these concerns, it remains unclear how far Trump's order will go or what specific nuclear testing program he has ordered. One thing is certain, however: the move represents a significant escalation in tensions between the US and its rivals, and raises serious questions about the future of global security.