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Trump orders resumption of US nuclear weapons testing after 33 years
US President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992, citing the need to match the nuclear testing programs of rival nations. The surprise announcement was made on Truth Social while Trump was en route to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for trade negotiations in Busan, South Korea.
The president stated that the resumption of testing is necessary to maintain parity with other global nuclear powers, specifically mentioning Russia and China. Trump emphasized that testing sites will be determined later, and the decision aims to ensure the United States remains competitive in its nuclear capabilities.
Rising global nuclear tensions
The decision comes amid escalating nuclear developments by rival nations. China has significantly expanded its nuclear arsenal, doubling its stockpile from 300 warheads in 2020 to 600 in 2025, with projections of exceeding 1,000 by 2030, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Similarly, Russia recently tested a nuclear-powered Poseidon torpedo and the Burevestnik cruise missile, further heightening international tensions.
While on Air Force One, Trump condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for prioritizing missile tests over ending the war in Ukraine. He also reiterated his desire for global denuclearization, though he acknowledged the increasing arms race between the United States, Russia, and China.
Controversial reactions
Trump’s announcement has faced immediate backlash from lawmakers and arms control experts. Representative Dina Titus of Nevada vowed to introduce legislation to block nuclear testing, while Daryl Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association, criticized the move as unnecessary and dangerous. Kimball argued that resuming testing could provoke a global chain reaction, undermining the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and escalating tensions with adversaries.
Trump’s broader nuclear strategy includes efforts to engage Russia and China in arms control negotiations. However, Beijing has dismissed these discussions as "unrealistic," given its comparatively smaller nuclear arsenal.
A historical shift
The last US nuclear weapon test occurred in 1992, marking the end of an era when most nuclear powers ceased explosive testing. North Korea remains the exception, with its last test conducted in 2017. Trump’s decision signals a potential reversal of decades-long global norms against nuclear testing, ushering in a period of renewed competition among nuclear-armed states.
