US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing after a 33-year gap, marking a major shift in global security dynamics. The announcement came just minutes before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea. Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States would begin testing its nuclear arsenal on an “equal basis” with other powers, citing the need to maintain strategic balance. His statement sparked widespread international concern, as no major nuclear power except North Korea has conducted explosive testing in more than 25 years.
Trump later reaffirmed his decision aboard Air Force One, saying that renewed testing was essential to ensure America keeps pace with rival nations. He stated that potential test sites would be decided later, dismissing fears that the move could trigger a dangerous arms race. However, both Russia and China criticized the decision, calling it a step backward for global stability. Beijing urged Washington to honor its moratorium on nuclear testing, while a senior Russian lawmaker warned that Trump’s action could push the world into a new era of unpredictability and confrontation.
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The decision follows rapid nuclear expansion by China and recent weapons tests announced by Russia. Beijing has more than doubled its nuclear arsenal in the past five years, reaching around 600 warheads in 2025 and is expected to exceed 1,000 by 2030. Meanwhile, Russia recently tested a nuclear-powered Poseidon super torpedo and Burevestnik cruise missile, both capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Analysts say Trump’s decision reflects mounting pressure on the United States to assert its military dominance amid growing competition from these two powers.
Critics argue that Trump’s directive could dismantle decades of arms control progress. Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association said the US lacks any technical or strategic reason to resume explosive testing, emphasizing that such a move could reignite global testing by other nations. Lawmakers in Nevada also voiced opposition, pledging to introduce legislation to halt the process. Experts warn that restarting nuclear testing could undermine the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which has long served as the foundation for global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
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Despite global criticism, Trump maintained that his ultimate goal remains denuclearization, though he stressed the need for fairness among nuclear powers. He noted that the US possesses over 5,200 nuclear warheads, slightly fewer than Russia’s estimated 5,580, while China continues to expand its arsenal rapidly. The announcement marks one of the most consequential nuclear policy shifts in decades, raising fears of a renewed arms race that could destabilize global peace efforts and reverse years of diplomatic progress toward nuclear restraint.