In a significant escalation, U.S. officials have provided new details regarding the alleged Chinese nuclear test, asserting that a remote earthquake in 2020 was caused by such an event. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw reiterated, "As the president has said, the United States will return to testing on an ‘equal basis,’" indicating a readiness to resume U.S. nuclear tests in response to what he described as "opaque" activities by China. This shift in U.S. nuclear policy raises concerns about a potential arms race, especially as President Donald Trump seeks a new trilateral nuclear control agreement involving both China and Russia.