Trump Wants To Increase US Nuclear Weapons

While making an address at a Republican event, President Donald Trump asserted that the world has overtaken the U.S. in the preparation of nuclear weapons. Several countries, he said, have amassed excessive amounts of nuclear weapons. The U.S. will also add to its arsenal of nuclear weapons, which would be better and more modern than those of other countries.

It was the first time after being sworn in as president on Jan. 20 that Trump expressed his concern about America being deficient in its nuclear arsenal, and talked about increasing its nuclear supremacy. He expressed extreme disapproval of North Korea’s missile experiments and directed criticism at Russia’s missile installation, calling it a violation of the international agreements. Trump further maintained that it is his desire that no country in the world should possess nuclear weapons.

Undoubtedly the U.S. president’s desire for a world free of nuclear weapons is to be welcomed; however, his announcement, at the same time, of an increase in America’s own nuclear weapons is not understandable. If the U.S. itself, as a world superpower, does not abide by the nuclear nonproliferation agreement, how can it prevent other countries from proliferating nuclear arms?

There is a contradiction between President Trump’s desire for a nuclear weapons-free world and his announcement of increasing America’s own nuclear weapons. His announcement may well, in fact, give rise to the fear of his policies ringing alarm bells for regional and world peace. The U.N. needs to take note of this and play its due role for world security.