President Trump said on Wednesday that the U.S. could collaborate with Russia and China on a denuclearization plan in a bid to reduce tensions. The statement comes after he ordered the Department of War last week to resume nuclear testing “on an equal basis” with the two countries.
Elevate Your Investing Strategy:
- Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.
Trump didn’t specify whether the testing referred to direct nuclear weapons or their delivery systems. The U.S. has voluntarily refrained from conducting nuclear tests since 1992 but retains the option to resume them at any time.
Putin Threatens Nuclear Tests if U.S. Moves First
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will also initiate nuclear weapon testing plans if the U.S. does. “Let’s proceed; I await your reports,” said Putin at a security council meeting on Wednesday. Russia has conducted nuclear delivery system tests in recent weeks, including an underwater torpedo and a nuclear-powered warhead-carrier.
Russia has an inventory of 5,459 warheads while the U.S. has 5,177, according to the Federation of American Scientists. In 2019, both countries effectively withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which prohibited ground-launched intermediate-range missiles.
Stay ahead of macro events with our up-to-the-minute Economic Calendar — filter by impact, country, and more.