U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. military to restart nuclear weapons testing after a hiatus of 33 years. This decision was announced by Trump while he was en route to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, for trade negotiations. The President stated that the Pentagon has been instructed to begin testing the U.S. nuclear arsenal to align with the testing programs of other nuclear powers.

The move by Trump comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the successful testing of a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo, which experts believe has the capability to cause significant damage to coastal areas through radioactive ocean swells.

Trump emphasized the need for the U.S. to maintain parity with other nuclear powers, especially in light of China’s rapid expansion of its nuclear stockpile. According to reports, China has doubled its nuclear arsenal to around 600 weapons in 2025 from 300 weapons in 2020, with projections indicating it could possess over 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030.

China has urged the U.S. to uphold its commitments under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and refrain from nuclear testing activities. Despite concerns raised by various quarters, Trump defended the decision, citing the necessity for the U.S. to keep pace with nuclear developments by other nations.

As discussions around nuclear arms control continue, Trump’s announcement has sparked debates on the implications of resuming nuclear testing and its potential impact on global non-proliferation efforts. The move also reflects broader geopolitical tensions and the evolving dynamics of nuclear deterrence strategies among major powers.