Trump Alleges Foreign Tests, Orders Non‑Nuclear System Tests

President Trump accused Russia, China, Pakistan and North Korea of secretly conducting underground nuclear tests and directed military authorities to resume U.S. testing so the country would not be the only major power abstaining. China denied the allegations as "groundless," Pakistan had not immediately responded, and officials said the president’s posts have raised international concern that any resumption could erode long‑standing testing moratoria and provoke reactions. The administration subsequently clarified via Energy Secretary Chris Wright that planned activity would be system, or "non‑critical," tests of weapon components rather than full-scale nuclear detonations, noting the U.S. has not conducted an explosive nuclear test since 1992 and has signed but not ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Reports say returning to live detonations would take years and be costly, and current assurance plans emphasize component testing and computer simulation over live blasts. Separately, Trump’s meeting with Xi produced lower tariffs on Chinese goods while the administration imposed roughly 50% duties plus a reported 25% secondary levy affecting some Indian imports — a move New Delhi called unfair even as Washington and New Delhi signed a 10‑year defence framework, highlighting economic factors reshaping U.S. strategic ties.