President Donald Trump has directed U.S. military leaders to resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time in over 30 years, citing the need to keep pace with nations like Russia and China.
The announcement was made shortly before Trump’s high-level meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
“Because other countries are conducting testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to begin testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, using his administration’s term for the Department of Defense. “That process will begin immediately.”
The directive follows Trump’s recent criticism of Russia for testing a nuclear-powered missile said to have unlimited range. While no specific details about the U.S. testing plans were provided, the president emphasized that preparations would commence without delay.
The United States last conducted a nuclear weapons test in Nevada in 1992, after which President George H.W. Bush imposed a moratorium following the collapse of the Soviet Union, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Trump’s post came just as President Xi arrived in South Korea for their first face-to-face meeting since 2019. The message was reportedly issued while Trump was aboard Marine One, en route to meet Xi at Gimhae International Airport.
Speaking later aboard Air Force One, Trump said that the locations for the new test sites would be determined at a later date but insisted that it was “appropriate” for the U.S. to resume testing to match the military advancements of other nations.
The announcement followed reports that Russia had successfully tested two new nuclear-capable weapons over the weekend.
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