Trump Suggests First U.S. Nuclear Test in 30 Years/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump suggested the U.S. may resume nuclear weapons testing after 30 years, citing testing by other nations. The Kremlin warned it would respond in kind if nuclear tests restart. Arms control advocates and global leaders voiced alarm over the potential reversal of long-standing nuclear testing norms.
Trump Nuclear Testing Suggestion Quick Looks
- Trump hinted at resuming nuclear tests after decades of moratorium.
- Statement was made on Truth Social before Xi Jinping meeting.
- Kremlin responded: Russia will follow if U.S. resumes testing.
- The U.S. hasn’t detonated a nuclear device since 1992.
- Trump provided no clear plan or timeline, sparking confusion.
- Pentagon has not confirmed any testing activities.
- Arms control advocates warn of international backlash.
- Trump conflated missile testing with nuclear warhead testing.
- China urged the U.S. to honor the nuclear test ban treaty.
- Survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki condemned Trump’s comments.
Deep Look
Trump Suggests U.S. Could Resume Nuclear Testing for First Time in 30 Years
BUSAN, South Korea — President Donald Trump appeared to signal a drastic shift in U.S. nuclear policy on Thursday, suggesting that the country could resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992. The statement, made on social media just before a diplomatic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, raised immediate alarm among international leaders and arms control advocates.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that, “Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.” The comment appeared to conflate routine missile tests with full-scale nuclear warhead detonations, but lacked further detail or clarification.
Speaking later to reporters aboard Air Force One en route back to Washington, Trump offered little additional clarity. “Other countries seem to all be nuclear testing,” he said. “We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We don’t do testing. If they’re going to test, I guess we have to test.”
Kremlin Responds with Retaliatory Warning
The Kremlin quickly reacted to Trump’s suggestion, referencing President Vladimir Putin’s earlier warning that Russia would only resume nuclear testing if others did so first. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that position, saying, “If someone abandons the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly.”
While Russia has recently tested advanced nuclear-powered weapons—specifically the Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon underwater drone—these tests, according to the Kremlin, do not violate the global nuclear test ban because they didn’t involve actual nuclear detonations.
Peskov also implied Trump may be misinformed about these tests, adding, “There is no way it can be interpreted as nuclear testing.”
Historical Context and Legal Ambiguity
The U.S. has not conducted a nuclear explosion since 1992, though it continues to test missile systems that could deliver nuclear warheads. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 but never ratified by the U.S. Senate, effectively established a global norm against nuclear testing. Despite its unratified status, the U.S. has observed the treaty for over 30 years.
Earlier this year, Russian lawmakers repealed their ratification of the CTBT, citing the need to stay aligned with the U.S. Trump’s new comments may now tilt the balance further toward nuclear escalation.
When asked by reporters where any potential tests might occur, Trump said only, “It’ll be announced. We have test sites,” likely referencing the Nevada National Security Site, where the last U.S. nuclear detonation occurred underground.
Pushback From Arms Control Advocates
Trump’s vague but inflammatory statement drew swift condemnation from arms control experts. Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, called Trump’s remarks “misinformed and out of touch.”
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Kimball argued that the U.S. has no technical or strategic reason to resume explosive nuclear testing. He emphasized that restarting such testing could take up to 36 months and would provoke global condemnation and domestic resistance, particularly in Nevada.
“By foolishly announcing his intention to resume nuclear testing, Trump will trigger strong public opposition, especially from allies and within Nevada,” Kimball warned. “It could also spark a dangerous domino effect of nuclear testing by adversaries.”
Asian Allies Alarmed by Escalation
The shockwaves extended beyond Washington and Moscow. In Japan, survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings during World War II expressed deep dismay. Jiro Hamasumi, secretary general of the Nobel Prize-winning group Nihon Hidankyo, said Trump’s announcement “absolutely cannot be tolerated” and undermines global efforts toward a nuclear-free future.
China’s Foreign Ministry also voiced concern. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged the U.S. to adhere to the CTBT, stating, “China hopes the U.S. will fulfill its obligations and honor its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
Unclear Intentions Amid Calls for Peace
Despite his initial post suggesting escalation, Trump later claimed he was aiming for denuclearization and de-escalation.
“We are actually talking to Russia about that,” he said, though he provided no specifics about the content or status of those conversations.
Trump’s contradictory messaging has left observers puzzled. While he previously expressed interest in reviving nuclear arms control talks with Russia and China, this latest statement threatens to undo decades of bipartisan efforts to prevent the resumption of nuclear tests.
His administration has yet to provide clarification or follow-up. The White House declined to respond to media inquiries, and the Pentagon has remained silent.
As the international community awaits more definitive action or clarification from the U.S., Trump’s words have already reignited fears of a renewed global arms race—one that many thought had been relegated to the history books.
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