Donald Trump Directs US to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing Amid Global Tensions

In a major policy shift, US President Donald Trump has instructed the Department of War to initiate new nuclear weapons testing, citing growing nuclear advancements by Russia and China. The directive marks the first such move in decades, reviving fears of a new global arms race.

Trump announced the decision on his social media platform, saying the United States can no longer remain passive while other powers continue to test and modernize their arsenals. He asserted that Washington must “match the testing pace” of rivals to ensure strategic superiority.

The announcement comes just days after reports that Russia successfully conducted a test of its nuclear-powered cruise missile, the Burevestnik, capable of traveling thousands of kilometers with near-unlimited range. China, too, is believed to be rapidly expanding its nuclear capabilities with new intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic systems.

According to Trump, the new testing initiative will begin “immediately” under the supervision of the Department of War – a term he has revived in place of the traditional “Department of Defense.” The move, he said, is intended to ensure the US arsenal remains “the most advanced and reliable deterrent on Earth.”

The decision has already drawn international attention. Moscow has said it is “closely monitoring” developments, while Beijing has yet to issue an official response. Western allies have expressed concern that the action could undermine global arms-control agreements such as the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Defence analysts warn that restarting nuclear tests could escalate tensions at a time when relations between the US, Russia, and China are already strained. The policy could also complicate diplomatic negotiations on non-proliferation and strategic stability.

However, Trump’s administration argues that the step is necessary to maintain national security and prevent adversaries from gaining a technological edge. “America will not fall behind,” Trump stated, emphasizing that the era of restraint is “over.”

This unprecedented move effectively reopens a chapter of global nuclear rivalry that many hoped was closed decades ago – one that could redefine the world’s strategic balance in the years to come.