Donald Trump has told his Department of War to start testing nuclear weapons for the first time in 33 years in response to other countries’ programs.
The US president issued the order to the rebranded Pentagon shortly before his meeting with China’s leader, Xi Jinping.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social while travelling in his Marine One helicopter to meet the Chinese president in Busan, South Korea, where the pair attempted to resolve the tariff war.
The POTUS said in a rambling post: ‘The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country.
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‘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 5 years.
‘Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.
Trump defended his decision later aboard Air Force One, saying it is ‘appropriate’ for the US to test nuclear weapons in line with rivals.
Vladimir Putin said yesterday that Russia has tested the ‘Poseidon’ nuclear torpedo, which the Kremlin described as unstoppable and that it could drown Britain.
But despite the surprise announcement, Trump said he would ‘like to see denuclearisation.’
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He said: ‘I’d like to see a denuclearisation because we have so many and Russia’s second and China’s third and China will catch up within four or five years.’
‘We are actually talking to Russia about that and China would be added to that if we do something.’
How many nuclear weapons does the US have?
The US has a stockpile of around 5,225 nuclear weapons, while Russia holds around 5,580.
Their arsenal represents 90% of the world’s nuclear warhead inventory, according to the Arms Control Association.
In comparison, the UK has 225 nukes, China is equipped with 600 nuclear weapons, and Israel has 90.
The US previously tested nuclear weapons in 1992.
Most countries, except North Korea, wrapped up explosive testing in the 1990s.
North Korea carried out its last nuclear test in 2017, and the isolated country is thought to have around 50 assembled nuclear weapons.
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