In a provocative move, Donald Trump announced his order to resume U.S. nuclear testing just “minutes before” a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea. The former president accused China of being one of the nations secretly testing.
Trump’s social media post on Thursday claimed he “had no choice” but to instruct the “Department of War” to begin testing “on an equal basis” with other nations.
In a subsequent interview, he specified his claims, stating, “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it.”
China’s foreign ministry issued a strong denial, calling itself a “responsible nuclear-weapons state.” The ministry stated that China “upheld a self-defence nuclear strategy” and has “abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
The timing of the announcement, coupled with the accusations, appears designed to pressure Beijing. It also follows recent Russian missile tests, adding to global tensions.
