Image Credit: X account @POTUS
Trump Claims US “Enough Nukes to Blow Up the World 150 Times”
In a recent interview, U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States has “enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world 150 times over” while discussing arms control with Xi Jinping of China. He also stated that the U.S. is in talks with China on denuclearisation and has asked for China’s participation in the process.
Highlights of the Statement
Trump said the U.S. arsenal is so large that “you could destroy the world 50 times, 100 times, 150 times” and questioned why new weapons are still being built. However, publicly available data do not support a precise figure of “150 times”-destruction capability. According to arms-control sources, the U.S. and Russia hold the largest stockpiles; China’s arsenal is much smaller and no credible estimate confirms the “150 times” claim.
Talks With China and Russia
Trump reiterated his desire to engage both Russia and China in arms-control dialogue, focusing on reducing defence budgets and restraint in nuclear weapon production. He characterised denuclearisation as a “big aim” but acknowledged that progress depends on multiple parties cooperating. China, however, has previously rejected trilateral talks under current conditions, saying the U.S. and Russia must first cut their much larger arsenals.
Strategic Implication
The remarks reflect Trump’s dual posture: emphasising the destructive power of U.S. nuclear forces while also pressing for fresh arms-control rounds with major powers. The hyperbolic “150 times” figure may be intended for rhetorical effect rather than strict technical accuracy. Nonetheless, the comments serve as a high-profile signal in the context of evolving U.S.–China–Russia nuclear dynamics.
