President Donald Trump announced that he has ordered the immediate resumption of US nuclear weapons testing, marking the first such move in over three decades. The decision, revealed on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, signals a major policy shift that could reshape global arms control dynamics.
Trump’s Justification
Speaking to reporters, Trump defended his order by claiming he had “no other choice” after determining that rival powers had carried out tests of weapons capable of delivering nuclear warheads. “The United States possesses more nuclear weapons than any other country,” he said in a post on Truth Social. “Because of tests by other nations, I have instructed the Department of War to begin testing our nuclear weapons on equal terms. This process will begin immediately.”
The US has not conducted a full-scale nuclear test since 1992, when it adopted a voluntary moratorium under the Clinton administration. Trump’s order effectively breaks that moratorium, a move that arms control experts say could undermine decades of progress toward nuclear non-proliferation. According to Politico and the Associated Press, the decision follows reports that Russia and China have tested advanced weapons systems in recent months, though these are not confirmed to have involved nuclear detonations.
Strategic Justifications and Global Response
Trump argued that the decision was necessary to maintain “strategic parity” with Moscow and Beijing, both of which, he claimed, are expanding their nuclear capabilities. He warned that the United States could not afford to “fall behind” in deterrence capacity. “Because of their terrible and destructive power, I hated to do it,” he said. “But I had no other choice.”
The move has prompted concern from arms control analysts and international observers. Experts warn that restarting nuclear tests could trigger a chain reaction, prompting Russia, China, and possibly other nuclear powers to resume their own test programs. Such a development would deal a severe blow to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans all nuclear explosions but has not yet entered into force.
Domestic and Environmental Concerns
Beyond the geopolitical implications, the decision may reignite domestic controversy. Testing would likely take place at the Nevada Test Site, where nuclear detonations during the Cold War caused widespread radioactive fallout. Lawmakers from Nevada and environmental groups have already voiced opposition, calling the move “reckless” and “unnecessary.”
At the same time, questions remain about the exact nature of the planned tests. The Pentagon has yet to specify whether they will involve underground nuclear explosions or subcritical tests that stop short of a chain reaction. Neither the White House nor the Department of Defense has clarified the timeline or provided technical details about the program.
A Return to Cold War Dynamics
For now, Trump’s decision marks a dramatic escalation in nuclear policy, signaling a break from decades of restraint and a possible reversion to Cold War-era competition. While the president insists the move is about deterrence and security, critics fear it may instead open the door to a new global arms race at one of the most volatile moments in recent history.
Source: CNA