President Donald Trump has instructed US military leaders to recommence nuclear weapons testing, stating that it is essential for the United States to maintain parity with the nuclear programs of Russia and China. This directive marks a notable departure from decades of US policy, as the country has not conducted nuclear testing since 1992.
Trump emphasized that the United States possesses the largest nuclear arsenal globally, with Russia holding the second-largest and China a distant third. He made these remarks shortly before a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Following his meeting with President Xi, Trump addressed reporters on Air Force One, indicating that the specific locations for future nuclear tests would be determined later. “With others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also,” he stated, underscoring his rationale for the decision. The US has refrained from nuclear testing since the end of the Cold War, when former President George H.W. Bush implemented a moratorium.
The announcement follows Russia’s recent successful test of two new nuclear-capable weapons, including a missile with a reportedly unlimited range and an underwater drone designed to cause widespread radioactive contamination. However, these Russian tests did not involve actual nuclear detonations.
Regarding the global nuclear balance, Trump claimed the US holds the most nuclear weapons. While exact figures are classified, estimates suggest Russia and the US possess comparable, large nuclear stockpiles, with China possessing a significantly smaller arsenal. Experts project China’s nuclear capabilities to expand considerably in the coming years.
The timing of Trump’s announcement is particularly sensitive, occurring less than six months before the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in February 2026, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the US and Russia. This treaty limits both nations to 1,550 deployed warheads.
Experts have voiced concerns about the potential consequences of resuming nuclear testing. Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, called the move unnecessary and potentially destabilizing, warning that it could prompt adversaries to resume testing and undermine the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The last US nuclear weapons test, codenamed “Divider,” occurred underground in Nevada on September 23, 1992. While the Nevada Test Site remains operational, some analysts suggest it would take at least three years to restart underground testing capabilities.