US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to match Russia's and China's levels of nuclear testing, in a move that has left experts and officials stunned. The instruction, made public through a post on Trump's social media platform Truth Social, came as he was meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
The decision marks a significant escalation in tensions between the US and its rivals, both of which have not conducted full-scale nuclear tests since the 1990s. China and Russia have, however, continued to engage in various forms of nuclear testing, including simulated explosions and tests of nuclear-capable missiles.
Trump's assertion that the US must match these levels of testing is a marked departure from the country's current policy of limiting its own nuclear program. The US last conducted a full-scale nuclear test in 1992, under President George HW Bush, who subsequently announced a moratorium on underground testing.
The instruction has sparked concerns about the potential for increased military competition and heightened tensions between the US and its adversaries. China's foreign ministry has welcomed the development, stating that Beijing hopes the US will "honour the non-proliferation treaty" and contribute to regional peace.
However, Russia has taken a different view, with President Vladimir Putin boasting of his country's new nuclear-capable cruise missile. The Kremlin has also criticized Trump's proposed missile shield as "not appropriate."
The move has been met with skepticism by many experts, who warn that the US should not be drawn into an arms race with its rivals. "Absolutely not," said Nevada congresswoman Dina Titus, who plans to introduce legislation to block Trump's plan.
Despite these concerns, there is little indication that the US will reverse course. Trump has long been a proponent of increasing the country's nuclear arsenal, and his administration has taken steps to boost its defenses in recent years. The move marks another escalation in tensions between the US and its rivals, and raises questions about the potential for increased military competition in the Asia-Pacific region.
The decision marks a significant escalation in tensions between the US and its rivals, both of which have not conducted full-scale nuclear tests since the 1990s. China and Russia have, however, continued to engage in various forms of nuclear testing, including simulated explosions and tests of nuclear-capable missiles.
Trump's assertion that the US must match these levels of testing is a marked departure from the country's current policy of limiting its own nuclear program. The US last conducted a full-scale nuclear test in 1992, under President George HW Bush, who subsequently announced a moratorium on underground testing.
The instruction has sparked concerns about the potential for increased military competition and heightened tensions between the US and its adversaries. China's foreign ministry has welcomed the development, stating that Beijing hopes the US will "honour the non-proliferation treaty" and contribute to regional peace.
However, Russia has taken a different view, with President Vladimir Putin boasting of his country's new nuclear-capable cruise missile. The Kremlin has also criticized Trump's proposed missile shield as "not appropriate."
The move has been met with skepticism by many experts, who warn that the US should not be drawn into an arms race with its rivals. "Absolutely not," said Nevada congresswoman Dina Titus, who plans to introduce legislation to block Trump's plan.
Despite these concerns, there is little indication that the US will reverse course. Trump has long been a proponent of increasing the country's nuclear arsenal, and his administration has taken steps to boost its defenses in recent years. The move marks another escalation in tensions between the US and its rivals, and raises questions about the potential for increased military competition in the Asia-Pacific region.
. Trump's plan to match Russia's and China's levels of nuclear testing is super concerning. I get that we need to stay strong as a nation, but increasing our nuclear arsenal doesn't seem like the answer. It's just gonna lead to more tension and competition with other countries. I'm worried about the potential for accidents or miscalculations that could have catastrophic consequences 
. And what about the environment? Nuclear testing can have devastating effects on ecosystems and human health 
. We need to think long-term here, not just focus on short-term gains. It's like, we're already living in a world with enough threats – do we really need to add more complexity to the situation? 
We're already on thin ice with our rival nations, and now we're taking it up another notch. It just feels like he's trying to provoke them into some kind of arms race. 
I mean, think about the consequences - increased military competition, higher chances of nuclear accidents... it's just too much. 
What if someone miscalculates or makes a mistake? We could end up in a global catastrophe. 
Experts say this is a bad idea, but I'm sure Trump's gonna do what he wants anyway... 'cause why listen to experts when you've got instincts, right? 
Are we gonna be right back to the Cold War era? 
. We don't wanna be in an arms race with our rivals, it's just too crazy talk! 
Thoughts, guys? What do you think is gonna happen next? 
It's like, how much more can we afford to beef up our nuclear arsenal? And what about China & Russia? They're already hyped up over this... I don't know if I trust Trump's judgment on this one at all 
. Like, what is he thinking?! We already know he's all about being tough on the world stage, but this? It's just ridiculous 
. The US has been so chill with its nuclear program for decades, and now we're going to go full-on nuclear arms race 
. And what about the environmental concerns?! Have Trump and his team even thought about that 
.