President Donald Trump said the US would match its rivals in testing nuclear weapons after Russia in recent days announced trials of a nuclear-powered underwater drone and nuclear-capable cruise missile.
“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” Trump said in a social media post shortly before meeting China’s leader in South Korea on Thursday. “That process will begin immediately.”
Trump appeared to be reacting to Russia’s accelerated testing of so-called nuclear-capable super weapons in recent weeks. On Wednesday, Russia said it tested an atomic-powered torpedo drone capable of carrying nuclear weapons days after its military hailed a trial of a long-distance cruise missile.
The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for clarification over whether Trump was ordering tests of nuclear-powered weapons and those that can carry nuclear warheads, rather than nuclear detonations.
In remarks later on a flight back to the US from South Korea, Trump provided no further clarity but said an announcement would be made about tests. “We don’t do testing. We’ve halted it years, many years ago, but with others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also,” he said.
The US’s last nuclear explosive test was in 1992, though it continues to test delivery systems — including intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarines and bombers — with mock weapons. Russia is the only other nation with a nuclear arsenal on par with the US. Its last known nuclear detonation was in 1990.
Trump’s social media post came hours before a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump has previously expressed interest in brokering a nuclear treaty with China to reduce nuclear stockpiles, though the Chinese have resisted the US president’s pitch to join nonproliferation talks.
Neither side appeared to have brought up nuclear weapons during the Thursday gathering, according to public statements they have made about the exchange.
