On October 30, 2025, President Donald Trump ignited a global firestorm by appearing to suggest that the United States would resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in over three decades. The announcement, made on his Truth Social platform just minutes before a high-profile meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, sent shockwaves through diplomatic, scientific, and activist communities worldwide.
Trump’s statement was both striking and ambiguous. “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” he wrote. “That process will begin immediately.” The president offered few details, leaving many to wonder whether this marked a significant change in U.S. nuclear policy or a rhetorical escalation in the ongoing competition among nuclear powers.
For context, the U.S. military routinely tests missiles that are capable of delivering nuclear warheads, but it has not detonated a nuclear weapon since 1992. This moratorium has been observed under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which the U.S. signed in 1996 but never ratified. All nuclear-armed states, except North Korea, have respected this ban since its adoption, according to the Associated Press.
Trump’s rationale for the abrupt policy shift appeared to be the alleged actions of other countries. He insisted, “Other countries seem to all be nuclear testing, but when it comes to the U.S., we have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We don’t do testing.” When pressed by reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington, Trump offered little clarity, only stating, “I see them testing and I say, well, if they’re going to test, I guess we have to test.” He further added, “It’ll be announced. We have test sites,” when asked where such tests might occur.
Despite the boldness of the statement, there was no immediate indication from the Pentagon or other official sources that the U.S. would begin detonating nuclear warheads. The ambiguity led to a flurry of speculation and concern among international observers and arms control advocates.
The Kremlin responded swiftly. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirmed Russia’s position: “If someone abandons the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly.” This echoes Putin’s earlier warnings and Russia’s legislative move in 2023 to revoke its ratification of the CTBT, a step Moscow said was necessary to remain on par with the United States. Notably, Russia has not conducted a nuclear warhead test since 1990, although Putin recently announced successful tests of a new atomic-powered underwater drone and a nuclear-powered cruise missile. Peskov emphasized these were not nuclear warhead tests, stating, “Regarding the tests of the Burevestnik and the Poseidon, we hope that President Trump was correctly informed about it. There is no way it can be interpreted as nuclear testing.”
China, for its part, called for restraint. At a briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged, “China hopes the U.S. will earnestly fulfill its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and honor its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.” The Chinese government’s position underscored broader international anxiety about a potential return to the nuclear arms race of the Cold War era.
Trump’s announcement also drew immediate condemnation from global institutions and advocacy groups. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through his deputy spokesperson, warned, “Current nuclear risks are already alarmingly high. We must never forget the disastrous legacy of over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests carried out over the last 80 years. Nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances.”
In the United States, the reaction was swift and deeply divided. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat and co-chair of the congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, called the move “a reckless decision that will only make us less safe and lead to a new nuclear arms race.” Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, was equally blunt, saying Trump was “misinformed and out of touch.” Kimball argued that the U.S. has no reason to resume nuclear explosive testing and noted that even if the government wanted to, it would take at least 36 months to prepare the Nevada test site for such activity. He warned, “By foolishly announcing his intention to resume nuclear testing, Trump will trigger strong public opposition in Nevada, from all U.S. allies, and it could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.”
Japanese survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II also voiced their outrage. Jiro Hamasumi, secretary general of Nihon Hidankyo, a survivors’ organization that won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, stated, “The act vehemently opposes all countries that are endeavoring to achieve a nuclear-free and peaceful world and absolutely cannot be tolerated.” Their words served as a stark reminder of the human cost of nuclear weapons and the ongoing struggle for disarmament.
Observers pointed out the complex legal and diplomatic terrain surrounding nuclear testing. The CTBT, while signed by the U.S. and many others, has never been ratified by the U.S. Senate. This technicality has allowed the U.S. to maintain its moratorium on testing without being formally bound by the treaty. Russia’s 2023 revocation of its ratification was seen as a symbolic gesture, positioning Moscow to respond in kind should Washington resume tests.
The timing of Trump’s announcement—just before a major diplomatic meeting with China—raised eyebrows. The meeting with Xi Jinping in Busan was officially focused on trade, but the nuclear issue quickly overshadowed other topics. Trump ignored reporters’ questions about his social media post during the face-to-face session, leaving diplomats scrambling to interpret the implications.
Despite the tough talk, Trump also struck a note of possible de-escalation. Speaking to reporters, he said he would like to see “denuclearization” and “de-escalation,” and mentioned ongoing conversations with Russia, though he provided no specifics.
The specter of renewed nuclear testing has rekindled long-standing fears of a new arms race, with experts and activists warning of global consequences. The world has witnessed more than 2,000 nuclear tests since the dawn of the atomic age, leaving behind a legacy of environmental devastation, health crises, and geopolitical instability. The debate now centers on whether Trump’s words will translate into action—and what the global response will be if they do.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the issue of nuclear weapons testing, long dormant, is once again at the center of international attention, forcing nations and citizens alike to confront the risks and responsibilities of living in a nuclear-armed world.
