U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. military to resume nuclear weapons testing after a 33-year hiatus. Trump announced this decision on his social media platform, Truth Social, while en route to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. He emphasized the need for the U.S. to test its nuclear arsenal on par with other nuclear powers, citing recent developments such as Russia’s successful testing of a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo.
China, which has significantly expanded its nuclear stockpile in recent years, has expressed concerns over Trump’s plan to restart nuclear weapons testing. The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the U.S. to uphold its commitments under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and refrain from conducting such tests.
Trump defended his decision, stating that testing was necessary for the U.S. to keep pace with rival nuclear powers. He mentioned ongoing discussions with Russia and potential future talks with China regarding denuclearization efforts.
The Arms Control Association reports that the U.S. currently possesses 5,225 nuclear warheads, while Russia has 5,580. Despite international efforts to curb nuclear testing, Trump’s move has raised concerns about potential escalations in nuclear testing worldwide.
Critics, including Representative Dina Titus and Arms Control Association director Daryl Kimball, have condemned Trump’s decision, questioning the need for resuming nuclear weapons testing and warning of its potential consequences on global nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
Trump’s push for nuclear arms control discussions with Russia and China had been previously announced, highlighting his interest in limiting the arsenals of major nuclear powers. However, the recent move to resume nuclear testing has sparked debates and apprehensions within the international community.