Updated
Photo:
Donald Trump's standing in the polls has forced his policies to be taken seriously. (Getty Images/AFP: Scott Olson)
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's
nuclear policy is "catastrophic", the White House says, as world powers
meet to debate the future of nuclear weapons.
Key points:
- Trump suggests Asian allies should develop nuclear weapons
- White House says US should focus on preventing nuclear proliferation
But it was Mr Trump's comments raising the prospect of returning fire with a nuke if the Islamic State group was to attack the US that raised concerns.
"I'm afraid this kind of talk in an election is bluntly irresponsible and is detrimental to our and all of our allies' security posture," US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said.
The Republican frontrunner also declared that, as president, he would withdraw troops from South Korea and Japan and allow those two countries, as well as others like Saudi Arabia, to develop nukes.
It drew a scathing rebuke from the US deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes.
"The entire premise of American foreign policy as it relates to nuclear weapons for the last 70 years has been focused on preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons," said Mr Rhodes, one of President Barack Obama's closest aides.
"That has been the position of bipartisan administrations, of everybody who has occupied the Oval Office.
"It would be catastrophic for the United States to shift its position and indicate that we somehow support the proliferation of nuclear weapons."
Once dismissed out of hand, Mr Trump's strong showing in the polls has forced diplomats to take his positions increasingly seriously as he gets within striking distance of the Republican presidential nomination.
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The Worker:
Trumps comments are crazy. After living through the cold war, how can anyone start talking about increasing Nuclear Weapons and even worse to have such a person with his finger on the button begs belief!
Time was when men held saner counsel here.
Will that time come again? Shall we behold
From this grim madness some new love unfold?
We pray for gentler times, when man shall cease
His brother man to bully or to fear.
Great God, among ourselves let us have peace!
Max Ehrmann
The Day After: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZhjpHYjZpc
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