President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. military to resume testing nuclear weapons, marking the first such tests in over three decades. This announcement, made on October 21, 2023, via Truth Social while aboard the Marine One helicopter, seems aimed at asserting U.S. strength amid growing nuclear capabilities from countries like China and Russia.
During his flight to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, Trump stated, “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.” He emphasized the need for the U.S. to match the advancements of other nuclear powers, particularly noting that “Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years.”
The implications of this order are significant. China has reportedly more than doubled its nuclear warhead arsenal in the past five years, while Russia has conducted several nuclear weapon tests in recent weeks. The precise nature of the tests Trump referred to—whether they involve nuclear explosive tests or the flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles—remains unclear.
Following Trump’s announcement, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, expressed skepticism regarding the U.S. claim of other nations engaging in nuclear tests, stating, “Until now, we didn’t know that anyone was testing.” Russian President Vladimir Putin, who oversees the largest nuclear arsenal globally, has warned that Russia would respond in kind if any nation conducts nuclear tests.
Historically, no nuclear power, aside from North Korea in 2017, has carried out explosive nuclear tests in over 25 years. The Soviet Union last conducted a test in 1990, while the United States and China last tested in 1992 and 1996, respectively.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization has urged all nations to adhere to a moratorium on nuclear testing, emphasizing that any explosive tests could destabilize global non-proliferation efforts. Robert Floyd, the organization’s head, highlighted the potential dangers to international peace and security posed by such actions.
Additionally, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has consistently warned about the rising nuclear risks globally, urging nations to avoid actions that might lead to miscalculations with “catastrophic” consequences.
While returning to Washington, Trump reiterated the necessity of testing to maintain U.S. competitiveness, stating, “With others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also.” He noted that the locations for potential nuclear tests would be determined later.
When questioned about the increasing risks associated with nuclear weapons, Trump dismissed the notion, asserting that the U.S. nuclear stockpile is “well locked up.” He expressed a desire for denuclearization, claiming, “I’d like to see a denuclearisation because we have so many and Russia’s second and China’s third.”
This decision comes amid rapid expansions in China’s nuclear capabilities, with U.S. military officials estimating that China could possess over 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. The United States currently holds a stockpile of 5,225 nuclear warheads, while Russia has approximately 5,580, according to the Arms Control Association.
Daryl Kimball, the director of the Arms Control Association, commented that resuming contained nuclear tests would require at least 36 months of preparation, suggesting that Trump may not fully grasp the implications of his directive.
As tensions escalate in the realm of nuclear armament, Trump’s announcement signals a notable shift in U.S. military policy, raising concerns about the future of global nuclear stability.
