Trump’s Vow to ‘Test Like Other Countries’ Draws Chinese Rebuke

Donald Trump’s vow that the U.S. would “test nuclear weapons like other countries do” has drawn a sharp rebuke from China. The former president named China, Russia, North Korea, and Pakistan as nations actively testing, an allegation Beijing denies.
China’s foreign ministry responded by calling itself a “responsible nuclear-weapons state.” The ministry’s spokesperson emphasized that China has always “abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
Trump’s comments came as he defended his order for the U.S. to resume testing, which he first announced on social media. He claimed he “had no choice” but to instruct the “Department of War” to begin testing “immediately.”
The former president also touted the strength of the U.S. arsenal, claiming it was the largest in the world and capable of blowing up the planet “150 times.” He claimed Russia was second in nuclear strength, with China a “distant third.”
Trump’s escalation follows reports of a new Russian missile test. His claims of “way underground” testing by rivals have been met with skepticism from the international community.