China has rebuked Donald Trump over his claims of secret nuclear testing, which he used as a pretext for his own order to resume U.S. testing. Beijing called itself a “responsible” state, while Trump’s order remains mired in confusion.
The Chinese foreign ministry’s sharp denial came after Trump alleged in an interview that China and Russia were conducting tests “way underground.” A spokesperson insisted China “abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
Trump’s order, posted on social media, has caused significant uncertainty. It is not known if his directive to “start testing” refers to computer simulations or a physical explosion, which would break the long-standing U.S. moratorium.
The former president has defended the directive as a necessary response. He has also recently touted the U.S. arsenal as the “world’s largest.”
This diplomatic and military posturing follows a recent test by Russia of a new nuclear-powered cruise missile, further raising the stakes in a tense international climate.