Is Trump resuming nuclear weapon tests and if so, why?
Asked 19 hours ago
Answer
President Trump orders the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing, aiming to match Russia and China as both nations expand their arsenals. The directive is announced just before a meeting with China's Xi Jinping, with Trump citing the need to keep pace with rival powers. It remains unclear if this includes actual detonations. Trump dismisses heightened nuclear risk and says U.S. stockpiles are secure.
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Trump tells Pentagon to resume testing U.S. nuclear weapons
- President Trump has ordered the U.S. military to resume nuclear weapons testing.
- It is unclear if the directive refers to actual detonations or missile testing, as the U.S. has not conducted a nuclear detonation in 33 years. 17s
- Trump announced the directive just before meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and stated it is to ensure the U.S. keeps pace with other nuclear powers. 28s
- The announcement follows China's expansion of its nuclear arsenal and recent Russian nuclear missile tests. 1m 3s
- Trump has also approved South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine in the U.S., following energy deals between the two countries. 1m 45s
References
President Donald Trump orders the U.S. military to resume nuclear weapons testing. It is unclear if this means actual detonations or missile tests. The move is to keep pace with other nuclear powers, especially as China expands its arsenal and Russia conducts new missile tests.
One hour before meeting Xi, Trump announces on social media that he has instructed the Department of War to start testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with Russia and China. The U.S. has not conducted such tests in 33 years.