Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that U.S. nuclear weapons tests would restart, citing Russia and China as the motive.
U.S. President’s Decision on Nuclear Weapons
Donald Trump ordered U.S. military leaders to resume nuclear weapons tests and posted the announcement on Truth Social just before a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Trump justified the move as a necessary response to Russia’s and China’s developing nuclear programs, stating that the United States possesses more nuclear arms than any other country, a result he achieved, including a full modernization of existing stockpiles, during his first term. He added that he hated making the decision but had no choice.
He pointed out that Russia ranks second, China far behind in third place, yet will close the gap in five years.
First Such Decision in the 21st Century
The United States halted nuclear tests in 1992, before President George H.W. Bush announced a moratorium ending the Cold War. The last U.S. nuclear bomb test occurred on September 23, 1992, at an underground facility in western Nevada.
China has expanded its arsenal but has not conducted a nuclear test since 1996, while Russia has not carried out a confirmed test since 1990. Moscow recently announced a test of a submarine-based long‑range nuclear system and the launch of a missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Meeting Between Trump and Xi Jinping
At a military airbase in Busan, South Korea, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping had a conversation that lasted about two hours, although it had been scheduled for at least three.
After the meetings, both leaders expressed a desire to ease trade tensions between the world’s largest economies. Washington and Beijing emphasized a joint effort to end the war in Ukraine, with Trump saying, “We intend to work with Xi on Ukraine.” China has so far supported Moscow’s stance and the U.S. suggested that China stop buying Russian oil.
The talks were Trump’s first face‑to‑face meeting with Xi since 2019; in press briefings, the leaders spoke optimistically about bilateral relations.
