In a move that could reshape global security debates, US President Donald Trump announced that he has ordered the Department of Defense to resume nuclear weapons testing without delay. The directive, shared on his social media platform Truth Social, emphasized that Washington must match the pace of nuclear activities carried out by Russia and China.
Trump stated, “Due to the nuclear weapons testing programs of other countries, I have ordered the Department of Defense to conduct as many tests as they are doing. This work will begin immediately.”
The announcement follows reports from Moscow that Russia had successfully tested a cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the missile, known as “Brevistnik,” as a unique system designed to strengthen national security. Trump, however, criticized the Russian test as “inappropriate,” underscoring the competitive nature of nuclear advancements among major powers.
The timing of Trump’s statement is particularly significant, as it comes just before his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts suggest the move signals Washington’s intent to project strength in the face of Beijing’s expanding nuclear arsenal.
Trump also highlighted that during his first term, he had already initiated efforts to modernize America’s nuclear stockpile. He further claimed that the United States possesses the largest number of nuclear weapons globally, followed by Russia and then China. However, independent watchdogs such as the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) report that Russia currently holds approximately 5,500 nuclear warheads, compared to 5,044 in the US arsenal.
The United States last conducted a nuclear test in 1992, after which then-President George H.W. Bush imposed a moratorium on such activities. If carried out, Trump’s directive would mark the end of a 33-year pause in American nuclear testing.
Observers warn that the decision could escalate tensions at a time when global powers are already engaged in a strategic arms race. Supporters of the move argue that it is necessary to maintain deterrence, while critics caution it may undermine decades of international non-proliferation efforts.