The United States has reacted with «great concern» to a Chinese missile test conducted in the Pacific, warning that Beijing's rapid and opaque nuclear buildup poses a threat to regional and global stability. The test, carried out on Monday, involved a missile launched from a nuclear-powered submarine and equipped with a «training warhead,» according to a statement from the Chinese military. The projectile landed «precisely» in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean, though it remained unclear whether the missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement that «at a time when the United States is working harder than ever to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, China is doing exactly the opposite.» He added that «Beijing's rapid and intransparent nuclear weapons expansion is of great concern to the region and the world.» The remarks come as Washington seeks to maintain pressure on Beijing over its military modernization and arms control commitments.
The test marks the latest in a series of Chinese military exercises in the Pacific, which have drawn increasing scrutiny from the United States and its allies. Analysts note that China has been expanding its nuclear arsenal at a pace that could soon rival that of the United States and Russia, raising questions about its adherence to international nonproliferation norms. The test also coincides with heightened tensions ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, where European allies are expected to discuss defense spending and security challenges posed by China.
In a separate development, former President Donald Trump praised rapper Nicki Minaj as «hot» during an event at the White House, calling her a «good friend» and a «real talent.» Minaj, who has recently voiced strong support for Trump, posted a photo of herself with the former president in the Oval Office on social media, captioning it «WhiteHouseBarbie with her favorite president of all time.» During Trump's first term, Minaj had criticized his hardline immigration policies, but she has since shifted her stance, promoting the «Trump Gold Card,» a program that offers residency in the United States for a million dollars.
Trump also unveiled a new savings initiative called «Trump Accounts,» which would provide newborns in the United States with a $1,000 starting balance. Speaking at the program's launch, Trump said that if the stock market continues to perform well, children could become «very rich,» potentially accumulating «hundreds of thousands of dollars.» The tax-advantaged accounts are designed to be invested in index funds until the child turns 18, aiming to give future generations access to capital. The plan gained momentum in December when PC entrepreneur Michael Dell and his wife Susan pledged $6.25 billion to help older children receive Trump Accounts.
Meanwhile, tensions between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni escalated after Trump joked on social media that a restraining order might be necessary, portraying Meloni as a stalker. The remark drew outrage in Italy, where officials called it disrespectful. The dispute adds to the strained relations between Washington and Rome ahead of the NATO summit.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke with Trump by phone ahead of the summit to clarify Germany's defense spending increases. Merz emphasized that the figures Trump had cited on Truth Social were outdated and that Germany is doubling its defense spending within four years. «This is the greatest effort we have ever made to strengthen our defense capabilities,» Merz said at a press conference. «We have nothing to hide from anyone.»
A senior U.S. official also stated that acquiring Greenland remains the «only solution» to address long-term security risks in the Arctic region. The official noted «lively naval activities» around the island and said that while other options are being considered, the current assessment is that a U.S. takeover of the Danish territory is the best way to meet NATO's defense needs in the area. The comments come as Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, a proposal that has been rejected by Denmark.