U.S. to Resume Nuclear Testing
President Trump recently announced that the United States will restart its nuclear testing program in response to ongoing tests by Russia, China, and North Korea.
During an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” host Norah O’Donnell questioned the president about this announcement, which came just before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 30.
Trump expressed a desire for arms negotiations focused on denuclearization with both Russia and China, revealing that these nations have conducted nuclear tests despite a stated moratorium.
The president emphasized that the United States possesses more nuclear weapons than any other country, stating, “Russia is second. China is a very distant third, but they’re rapidly increasing their arsenal. We need to address denuclearization.”
When asked why testing was necessary if he supports denuclearization, Trump replied, “You have to see how they work.” He pointed out that Russia has announced plans for its own nuclear tests and noted North Korea’s continuous testing activities.
“We’re the only country that doesn’t test,” Trump remarked. “I don’t want to be the only nation not conducting tests.” He confirmed intentions to conduct underground detonations similar to those of other countries.
O’Donnell noted that only North Korea is currently conducting tests while Russia and China are not. Trump countered this by asserting that both nations are indeed testing their nuclear capabilities without public acknowledgment.
The president explained that while the U.S. operates transparently regarding its military activities, Russia and China do not disclose their testing locations or methods, often conducting them underground where detection is difficult.
Trump mentioned recent threats from Moscow regarding different levels of testing and reiterated his commitment to resuming U.S. tests as well. CIA Director John Ratcliffe supported Trump’s claims on social media, referencing past statements about Russian non-compliance with a zero-testing moratorium.
Soon after, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton shared insights from CIA assessments indicating that both Russia and China have conducted significant nuclear tests as part of their modernization efforts.
