also, this is an incredible statement, they're basically moaning that China would be able to respond effectively to a nuclear first strike by the burger empire
Asian defence officials said a joint early warning system would also allow China to launch nuclear weapons upon receiving warning of an impending nuclear strike. That would mark a shift from its strategy of using nuclear weapons only in retaliation against a strike that has already occurred — a change that nuclear experts believe Beijing has long contemplated.
China don't have this many warheads (though they are expanding the arsenal pretty quickly), so i bet diamonds against nuts that some brainworms in Washington are entertaining the idea of quick first strike and hoping the response would be survivable.
Knowing the US, they probably assume as long as they can protect all the CEOs and politicians in bunkers that they will have no problem weathering the fallout and rebuilding. Those are the most important "workers", right?
They will be very confused when actual workers don't magically appear on command.