In a landmark decision that marks a dramatic shift in U.S. defense policy, President Donald J. Trump has directed the Pentagon to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time in over three decades. The announcement was made via Truth Social just moments before his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.
President Trump stated that the move was prompted by the growing strategic competition with Russia and China, both of whom have recently intensified their nuclear testing programs. “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” Trump wrote. “Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years.”
The United States has observed a voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing since 1992. This new directive signals a potential end to that longstanding policy and raises concerns about escalating global nuclear tensions. Trump emphasized that the decision was made to ensure parity and maintain U.S. dominance in nuclear capabilities. “The United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to modernizing the nation’s arsenal.
The Pentagon is expected to begin preparations immediately, with test site locations to be determined in the coming weeks. Defense officials have not yet released a timeline or specific details regarding the scope and nature of the tests.
International reaction has been swift, with allies and arms control advocates expressing concern over the implications for global security and non-proliferation efforts. Critics warn that the resumption of testing could undermine decades of diplomatic progress and provoke reciprocal actions from other nuclear powers.
Despite the controversy, President Trump defended the decision as a necessary step in safeguarding national security. “With others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also,” he said during a press briefing aboard Air Force One.