A cloud of ambiguity surrounds Donald Trump’s new directive for the U.S. to “start testing” nuclear weapons. The order, which Trump claims is a response to secret foreign tests, has led to confusion about the future of the U.S. nuclear moratorium and drawn a sharp rebuke from China.
The directive, announced via a social media post, did not specify what “testing” entails. This has left experts wondering if it means a return to physical detonations for the first time since 1992 or simply an increase in computational modeling.
Trump’s reasoning relies on his allegations against other powers. He claimed in a CBS interview that “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing,” but that these tests are hidden “way underground.”
Beijing moved quickly to counter this narrative. A foreign ministry spokesperson denied the allegation, stating that China is a “responsible” state that has “abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
The timing of Trump’s order is significant, coming shortly after Russia tested a new nuclear-powered cruise missile. Trump also used the occasion to claim the U.S. has the world’s largest nuclear arsenal.
