Donald Trump has issued a new and ‘immediate’ directive concerning nuclear weapons amidst growing concerns of potential World War 3.
Recently, there has been a notable exchange between US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with both leaders showcasing their nuclear capabilities and issuing implicit threats of retaliation should nuclear action be initiated.
During the summer, President Trump hinted at the relocation of US nuclear submarines after a tense verbal exchange with Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Medvedev responded by saying Trump’s statements were a ‘threat and a step towards war’.
At the beginning of the month, an American reconnaissance aircraft was observed over Moscow, while Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that Washington would face severe consequences if found conducting nuclear tests.
Ignoring this warning, Trump has directed the Department of War to commence nuclear weapons testing for the first time in over three decades.
In an announcement on Truth Social, Trump expressed his reluctance to issue this order but felt compelled due to ‘other countries testing programs’.
“The United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country,” Trump wrote. “This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office.”
“Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!
“Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years.”
Trump, 79, stated that he has directed the department ‘to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis,’ with plans to initiate testing ‘immediately’.
While aboard Air Force One, Trump informed reporters that testing is crucial to maintain parity with competing nuclear powers and to demonstrate that the US is serious about its stance.
“With others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also,” he said, noting that the locations for these nuclear tests are still undetermined.
The president also voiced support for denuclearisation, emphasizing that the US currently surpasses Russia and China in nuclear capabilities, though he acknowledged that China might ‘catch up’ within the next four to five years.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank based in Washington, reports that China has expanded its nuclear arsenal to approximately 600 weapons this year, up from 300 in 2020.
Projections indicate that China could possess over 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030.
Meanwhile, the Arms Control Association indicates that the US has 5,225 nuclear warheads, compared to Russia’s 5,580.
Trump’s directive coincides with Russia’s celebration of a supposedly successful test of a nuclear-capable Burevestnik cruise missile, along with launch exercises on October 21 and 22.
Daryl Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association, mentioned that it would take the US over two years to resume nuclear testing at the former Nevada test site.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Kimball wrote: “Trump is misinformed and out of touch. The U.S. has no technical, military, or political reason to resume nuclear explosive testing for the first time since 1992.
“No country except North Korea has conducted a nuclear test explosion in this century,” he argued, cautioning that Trump’s plan might ‘trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.’