In a post on his social media platform Wednesday night, Trump said that he had instructed the Department of War to begin “testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis” with Russia and China. The order came just hours before his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
“The United States has no choice,” Trump wrote. “Because other countries are testing, we must ensure our own arsenal remains second to none.”
The United States last conducted a nuclear test in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush, before a moratorium was introduced as the Cold War came to a close.
Rising Tensions with Russia and China
The decision follows a string of high-profile weapons tests by Russia, including the Poseidon nuclear torpedo and the Burevestnik cruise missile, both designed to evade U.S. missile defense systems. Trump denounced Moscow’s moves last week but said Washington could not “stand idle” while other nations push ahead.
According to Trump, China’s nuclear program has accelerated rapidly and could reach near parity with the U.S. within five years. Recent reports by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimate that Beijing has doubled its arsenal in the past half-decade, with projections topping 1,000 warheads by 2030.
End of a 30-Year Freeze
The resumption of testing would end the longest nuclear testing freeze in American history. The final test, code-named Divider, took place on September 23, 1992, at the Nevada Test Site.
Officials say potential future testing could again take place in Nevada, where underground facilities remain operational. “If deemed necessary, the site could be authorized again,” according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History.
Global Implications
Trump’s move comes just 100 days before the New START Treaty, which is the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Washington and Moscow and is set to expire in February 2026. The treaty limits both nations to 1,550 deployed warheads each.
Analysts warn that restarting nuclear testing could trigger a new arms race at a volatile time in global politics. But for Trump, the decision reflects his familiar message: America must lead, not follow, in matters of power and defense.
