JD Vance was asked about the US resuming nuclear weapons tests during a meeting with journalists outside the White House. The US vice president said that Donald Trump's entry on this topic “speaks for itself.”
– We have a huge arsenal. Of course, Russians [też] they have a huge nuclear arsenal. Chinese [również] they have a huge nuclear arsenal. Sometimes you have to test it to make sure it's working properly, he said.
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Why is the US resuming nuclear weapons tests?
What did Vice President J.D. Vance say about testing?
When did North Korea's last nuclear tests take place?
What other countries have nuclear weapons testing programs?
JD Vance on nuclear weapons testing. “She needs to be constantly monitored”
A representative of the US administration assured that the US “is cooperating very closely, even with countries with which it does not maintain the best relations, to limit the spread of nuclear weapons.”
“The president will continue to work on this, but an important element of American national security is making sure that this nuclear arsenal actually functions properly,” he added.
JD Vance also noted that American nuclear weapons are working properly, but “they constantly need to be monitored, and the president just wants to make sure we do that.”
The US resumes nuclear tests. Donald Trump's post
Donald Trump announced on Thursday, just before his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, that he had ordered the Pentagon to resume weapons tests, citing tests by other countries.
“Because of other countries' testing programs, I have directed the Department of War to begin testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis. This process will begin immediately,” the US president wrote on his Truth social media platform.
Earlier, Russian authorities announced tests of missiles capable of carrying nuclear-powered weapons – the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone. However, these were supposed to be missile tests, not nuclear warhead tests.
Donald Trump did not explain what exactly was the reason for his decision. When later asked about this by journalists aboard Air Force One, the president only said that it “has to do with other countries” that “appear to be testing” their weapons.
Recently, North Korea tested nuclear bombs
The last known nuclear test took place in 2017 and was conducted by North Korea. The remaining countries have not conducted any nuclear weapons tests in the 21st century. The last known detonation of a nuclear bomb by China took place in 1996, but for years analysts have been pointing to activity at the Lob-nor nuclear test site that indicates preparations for a test.
The last U.S. nuclear test took place in 1992. Although the United States signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1996, the U.S. Senate never voted to ratify it.
