US president defends resuming nuclear testing, says ‘America must not be left behind’
In a provocative claim, US President Donald Trump has alleged that Pakistan, China, and Russia are secretly carrying out nuclear weapons tests urging that the United States should not be the only major power refraining from such activities.
During a televised interview with 60 Minutes, Trump asserted that countries like North Korea and Pakistan are already testing nuclear weapons “but don’t tell anyone.” He recently ordered the Pentagon to “immediately” prepare for the resumption of nuclear testing, a move that has reignited global concern about a possible return to Cold War–era arms competition.
Trump maintained that the US, despite possessing an arsenal capable of “blowing up the world 150 times,” still needs to test to ensure its weapons’ reliability. “You have to see how they work,” he said, adding that Russia and China conduct tests “quietly,” while the US remains transparent. “We are an open society we talk about it,” he remarked.
Defending his stance, Trump emphasized that the purpose of testing is not to use nuclear weapons but to confirm their functionality. “It doesn’t make sense not to test. How will you know if they work?” he questioned.
The allegations have yet to receive an official response from Pakistan’s Foreign Office. However, Trump’s remarks have sparked debate over Washington’s commitment to nuclear restraint and could challenge decades of non proliferation efforts. Analysts warn that a US return to testing may escalate tensions and destabilize global arms control frameworks.
