Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the testing ordered up in a surprise announcement by President Trump last week would focus on “the other parts” of nuclear weaponry.
“I think the tests we’re talking about right now are systems tests,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Fox News on Sunday. “These are not nuclear explosions.”
The United States hopes to become less dependent on China by increasing access to mineral-rich countries. Rare earth metals are vital to an array of modern industries.
The president’s bellicose vow of steep new tariffs, followed quickly by a more conciliatory message, pointed to an internal tug of war over his approach.