President of the United States Donald Trump directed U.S. forces to resume nuclear weapons testing.
He cited Russia’s and China’s advancing programs and said America must act to match them.
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President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. military to resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992, citing the need to keep pace with global rivals such as Russia and China.
The directive was announced shortly before Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. In a post on Truth Social, the president stated, “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”
Trump’s comments followed his criticism of Russia’s recent test of a nuclear-powered missile reportedly capable of flying unlimited distances. While his post did not outline specific timelines or locations, he emphasized that preparations would begin without delay.
The United States last conducted a nuclear weapons test in Nevada more than thirty years ago, during President George H.W. Bush’s administration. The testing moratorium that followed was introduced after the collapse of the Soviet Union, marking a period of restraint in global nuclear activities.
Trump’s latest order marks a significant shift in U.S. defense policy. It comes amid growing concerns over the modernization of nuclear programs in Russia and China. Both nations have recently unveiled new missile systems designed to strengthen their deterrence capabilities.
Speaking aboard Air Force One after his meeting with Xi, Trump said the specific test sites had not been finalized but maintained that it was “appropriate” for the United States to ensure its arsenal remains on equal footing with its adversaries.
Russia recently announced it had successfully tested two new weapons capable of carrying nuclear warheads, further fueling global debate over a potential new arms race.
