Trump Orders Resumption of U.S. Nuclear Testing After 33-Year Hiatus

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has instructed the Pentagon to immediately resume testing of U.S. nuclear weapons, ending a 33-year moratorium.

The directive came via a post on Truth Social while en route to a trade meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

Trump stated the move ensures the U.S. arsenal remains on an "equal basis" with other nuclear powers.

He referenced recent Russian tests of nuclear-powered weapons and China's rapid arsenal expansion.

Rival Activities and Global Context

Russia conducted tests of a nuclear-powered cruise missile on October 21, nuclear readiness drills on October 22, and a nuclear-powered torpedo on October 28, though none involved nuclear detonations.

The Kremlin denied conducting nuclear tests and noted President Vladimir Putin has pledged reciprocal action if any nation resumes explosive testing.

China has doubled its nuclear warheads to approximately 600 since 2020, with projections exceeding 1,000 by 2030, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The U.S. maintains about 5,225 warheads, Russia around 5,580, per the Arms Control Association.

No nuclear power except North Korea, last in 2017, has performed explosive tests in over 25 years.

The U.S. last tested in 1992, the Soviet Union in 1990, and China in 1996.

Reactions and Uncertainties

China urged the U.S. to uphold its testing moratorium for global stability.

On Air Force One, Trump said test sites would be determined later and expressed openness to denuclearization talks involving Russia and China.

Critics, including Arms Control Association director Daryl G. Kimball, warned resumption could take 36 months and risk a testing chain reaction undermining the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Democratic Representative Dina Titus pledged legislation to block the order.

It remains unclear if Trump means explosive nuclear tests or missile flight tests.