DefenceTalkChina must strengthen its nuclear arsenal to “force the US to respect it” in response to the stance of new US President Donald Trump, a leading newspaper said Tuesday. The comments in the Global Times, a popular paper known for its inflammatory rhetoric and hawkish views, came just days after President Xi Jinping called for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-must-expand-nuclear-arsenal-in-response-to-trump-68913/

DefenceTalkChina warned Washington Tuesday that it would not back down over its claims in the disputed South China Sea, following vows by the Trump administration to defend US and international interests there. China’s artificial islands in the sea, some with the potential for military use, are considered a potential flashpoint and tough comments from White […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-says-it-will-not-back-down-on-south-china-sea-68911/

DefenceTalkExecutives of aerospace giant Lockheed Martin pledged again Tuesday to limit costs on the F-35 fighter jet amid pressure from President Donald Trump, but those efforts should not impact the program’s profitability. Chief executive Marilyn Hewson, who met twice with Trump following his critical comments prior to Friday’s inauguration, said the new president’s objective is […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lockheed-says-trump-pressure-wont-affect-f-35-profitability-68893/

DefenceTalkPresident Donald Trump will “rebuild” America’s vast military, boost its anti-missile capabilities and prioritize defeating the Islamic State group, according to the first policy statements published on the White House website Friday. Published moments after Trump was inaugurated president, the statements say he will end limits on Pentagon spending agreed by Congress and the Obama […]https://www.defencetalk.com/trump-aims-for-unquestioned-us-military-dominance-68877/

DefenceTalkAngela Merkel led a sharp European response to US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday after he branded the NATO alliance “obsolete” and criticised the German chancellor’s open-door refugee policy. In a hard-hitting interview with two European newspapers, Trump unleashed a volley of verbal attacks on Europe, hailing Britain’s decision to leave the European Union and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/europe-hits-back-at-trump-over-obsolete-nato-68821/

DefenceTalkChina is running out of patience with Donald Trump’s stance on Taiwan, state media said Monday, and will “take the gloves off” if he keeps challenging the One China policy. The US president-elect told the Wall Street Journal over the weekend the longstanding policy was up for negotiation, in his latest comment on the issue. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-will-take-the-gloves-off-over-taiwan-media-68818/

DefenceTalkNATO on Monday reiterated its confidence in the US security commitment to Europe, despite US President-elect Donald Trump sparking fresh uproar by saying the alliance was obsolete. Asked to comment on Trump’s remarks, a NATO spokesman made no direct response but referred to a statement by head Jens Stoltenberg on Dec 6 at an alliance […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-maintains-absolute-confidence-in-trump-security-commitment-68816/

DefenceTalkPresident-elect Donald Trump said Thursday that America must massively boost its nuclear capability until the “world comes to its senses.” “The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes,” Trump wrote on Twitter, without explaining what he meant. His comment marks […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-must-greatly-strengthen-its-nuclear-capability-trump-68721/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon says it has “secured an understanding” with Beijing that it will return a U.S. Navy underwater drone seized in the South China Sea. The seizure of the submersible on December 16 sparked a row between Washington and Beijing that drew in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who said China stole the craft and can […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-agrees-to-return-us-naval-drone-trump-says-beijing-can-keep-it-68683/

DefenceTalkChina offered its sternest rebuke yet to Donald Trump, saying anyone who challenges Beijing’s interests in Taiwan will “lift a rock only to crush his own toes”. “If he tries to sabotage the One China policy or harm China’s core interests, ultimately he will lift a rock only to crush his own toes,” Chinese foreign […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-warns-trump-of-crushing-his-own-toes-on-taiwan-68672/