Donald Trump’s new order for the U.S. to resume nuclear testing is based on his claims of foreign cheating and is shrouded in ambiguity. The move has sparked confusion about U.S. policy and drawn a sharp denial from China.
The ambiguity lies in the directive to “start testing.” It is not known if this refers to computational modeling or a physical detonation, which would end the 1992 U.S. moratorium.
Trump’s justification is his claim that Russia and China are conducting secret tests. He alleged in an interview that these were “way underground.”
China’s foreign ministry immediately denied this. A spokesperson stated that China is a “responsible nuclear-weapons state” and has “abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
The order comes shortly after Russia tested a new nuclear-powered cruise missile and Trump boasted of the U.S. arsenal’s size.