U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. military to recommence nuclear weapons testing after a hiatus of 33 years. Trump revealed this decision on his social media platform, Truth Social, while en route to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea for trade discussions. He emphasized the need for the Pentagon to test the U.S. nuclear arsenal on par with other countries following Russia’s recent successful test of a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo.
The move to resume nuclear testing by the U.S. comes amid China’s significant expansion of its nuclear stockpile, which has grown to an estimated 600 weapons in 2025 from 300 in 2020. U.S. military experts anticipate China could possess over 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030, with recent displays of nuclear capabilities that can target the continental United States.
In response to Trump’s announcement, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged the U.S. to adhere to its commitments under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and abstain from conducting nuclear tests. Trump defended the decision, citing the need for the U.S. to match the testing activities of rival nuclear powers like Russia.
The Arms Control Association reports that the U.S. and Russia maintain significant nuclear warhead stockpiles, with Russia conducting recent tests of advanced nuclear weaponry. While Trump expressed a willingness to engage in denuclearization talks with Russia and potentially China, concerns have been raised about the repercussions of renewed nuclear testing on global non-proliferation efforts.
Critics of Trump’s directive argue that there is no valid reason for the U.S. to resume nuclear explosive testing, with potential implications for international arms control agreements. The push for nuclear arms control discussions involving major powers like Russia, China, and the U.S. has been a focal point of Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
