Trump to begin nuclear weapons testing on 'equal basis' with other countries 'immediately'

President Donald Trump has ordered that the United States military will begin testing nuclear weapons on an "equal basis" with how other countries are also testing. The move comes as there have been tensions with China as well as Russia on the world stage with trade and the Russia-Ukraine war, respectively.

Trump posted to Truth Social, "The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP," he added.

Trump made the announcement right before his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea on Wednesday. The president did not clarify when the testing would take place. "It’ll be announced. You know, we have test sites. It’ll be announced," he said.

When he was asked about the prospect of nuclear weapons testing, and if it would be dangerous, "I don’t think so. I think we have it pretty well locked up," he responded. "But we have more than anybody, and I see them testing. I say, well, they're going to test, I guess we have to test too. I’d like to see a denuclearization … because we have so many. Russia’s second and China’s third. China will catch up within four or five years. I think de-escalation, or denuclearization, would be a tremendous thing. We are actually talking to Russia about that, and China would be added to that if we do something."

Trump made the comments as he was speaking to reporters on Air Force One, where he addressed the meeting with Xi, as well as an agreement that has been reached with China on trade relations.