IN an interview, US President Donald Trump has alleged that countries such as Pakistan, China and Russia are secretly conducting nuclear weapons tests.
China swiftly rejected Trump’s accusations, firmly denying any recent nuclear tests. Pakistan, too, has not confirmed any such activities.
However, the very remarks by Trump ignited renewed confusion and concern over the possibility of the US breaking decades-long nuclear testing moratorium. Trump’s statement that the US is the only country not conducting nuclear tests reflect a desire to build a case for resuming nuclear detonations on American soil-something that would have profound consequences for the entire world. Up till now the US has been a key player in upholding the norm against nuclear testing, making it a symbol of its commitment to global stability, peace and security. The idea that the US should resume testing because other countries may be conducting secret tests undermines decades of diplomatic work aimed at reducing the nuclear threat. Should the United States resume nuclear tests, it could irreparably damage global efforts to curb the spread of nuclear weapons. It would provide a dangerous precedent for other nations, who might feel emboldened to resume testing themselves, either openly or covertly. This would have dire implications for the global nuclear order and could trigger a new arms race-one that would be catastrophic for international security. As China pointed out in response to Trump’s comments, the US has a responsibility to act in accordance with the long-established principles of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. In order to preserve global strategic stability, the US must not be the one to unravel the delicate balance that has prevented nuclear war since the end of the Cold War. Instead of fueling suspicion and advancing the case for nuclear tests, the US should work to strengthen and safeguard the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. A return to nuclear testing by the US would be a reckless step backward and it is essential that the US continues to lead by example in maintaining the global moratorium. It is vital that the US maintains the integrity of international agreements and safeguards the global strategic balance, promoting stability over escalation.
