“Enough Nukes To Blow Up The World 150 Times”: Trump’s Explosive Claim in China Talks

US President Donald Trump, in a candid CBS News interview aired on November 2, 2025, acknowledged America's status as a mutual "threat" to China while advocating for collaborative denuclearisation efforts amid escalating superpower rivalries. Just days after proposing a trade truce to ease bilateral tensions, Trump emphasised the constant vigilance between Washington and Beijing, stating, "We're always watching them, and they're always watching us." His remarks come against a backdrop of US intelligence reports alleging Chinese infiltration into critical infrastructure like the power grid and water systems, alongside accusations of intellectual property theft and data breaches affecting millions of Americans. Trump framed the dynamic as a "very competitive world", suggesting that partnership could yield greater strength than confrontation.

Delving into nuclear capabilities, Trump highlighted the rapid expansion of China's arsenal, positioning the US as the undisputed leader with enough warheads to "blow up the world 150 times." He noted Russia's second-place standing and China's "distant third" position, warning that Beijing could catch up within five years due to accelerated production. "Denuclearisation's a very big thing," Trump asserted, revealing prior discussions on the topic with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. To bolster his recent executive order resuming US nuclear testing—halted since 1992—he claimed China and Russia conduct covert tests, insisting, "You just don't know about it." This stance revives Cold War-era debates on arms control, echoing unverified assertions that have drawn scepticism from arms control experts.

Trump defended the US's competitive edge, declaring, "We're doing very well against China," but conceded Beijing's leverage through rare earth minerals essential for technologies from consumer electronics to military hardware. He recounted how China has stockpiled these resources over 25-30 years, deploying them as economic weapons in trade spats. In retaliation, the US withheld Boeing aeroplane parts—critical for China's fleet of hundreds—while tariffs emerged as Washington's "big thing" in the arsenal. These tit-for-tat measures underscore the intertwined vulnerabilities in global supply chains, where China's dominance in rare earths (controlling over 80% of processing) amplifies its bargaining power despite US export controls on advanced semiconductors.

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The interview follows a pivotal face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi on October 30, 2025, during the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in South Korea—the first in over six years—where preliminary talks on trade de-escalation reportedly laid groundwork for broader dialogue. As the US navigates a second Trump term focused on "America First" policies, these disclosures signal a pragmatic pivot toward negotiation, potentially averting a new arms race. Yet, with ongoing cyber accusations and economic frictions, analysts warn that trust-building remains elusive, testing the limits of diplomacy in an era of asymmetric threats. Trump's blend of bravado and outreach may redefine US-China relations, but success hinges on verifiable concessions from both sides.

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