Trump weighs more nuclear arms and underground tests

In the days after the last remaining treaty between the United States and Russia expired, the administration signaled it is weighing the deployment of more nuclear weapons and is likely to resume nuclear testing. Such steps would reverse nearly 40 years of tighter controls and, if carried out, would make President Trump the first president since Ronald Reagan to increase weapons loaded on silos, bombers and submarines.

The United States last conducted an explosive nuclear test in 1992; Mr. Trump said last year he wanted to resume detonations "on an equal basis" with China and Russia. Officials have so far been vague about specifics, saying they are considering reusing weapons in storage and that Mr.

Trump has instructed aides to resume testing, without saying how many weapons might be deployed or what kinds of tests could be carried out. The details could determine whether the three big nuclear powers enter a new arms race or whether Washington is trying to force a three-way negotiation on a successor treaty.

United States

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