“I’m saying that we’re going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes,” President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell during a CBS 60 Minutes interview with claims that Pakistan, China, Russia, and North Korea conduct secret underground nuclear tests, while the United States holds back. Trump insisted these nations evade detection, stating, “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it.” He extended the accusation to Pakistan, adding, “Certainly North Korea’s been testing. Pakistan’s been testing.” Moreover, Trump used these allegations to justify resuming US nuclear testing after a 33-year moratorium.

Nations test “way underground where people don’t know exactly what’s happening,” he explained. “You just feel a little vibration.” He contrasted America’s open society with others lacking free press. For instance, global monitoring systems fail to catch these events, Trump argued, despite advanced seismometers and infrasound detectors. Additionally, he tied the claims to recent Russian tests of nuclear-capable systems like the Burevestnik missile and Poseidon drone.

On the other hand, no evidence supports nuclear detonations by Pakistan, China, or Russia since the 1990s, they note. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization’s network detects no such activity, except for North Korea’s known blasts.

Furthermore, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified on November 2 that planned American tests involve “systems tests,” not explosions. “These are noncritical explosions,” he told Fox News, focusing on weapon components.

China also rejected the accusations swiftly. A foreign ministry spokesperson affirmed Beijing’s “self-defense nuclear strategy” and moratorium on tests since 1996. “We hope the US upholds its commitments,” they added. Russia dismissed the claims too, calling its recent exercises routine.

However, Trump’s words escalate tensions, especially in Asia.