US to Resume Nuclear Weapon Testing, Citing Actions by Russia and China
following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States will resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades.Trump stated the decision was made to establish parity with Russia and China, declaring, “Now is the appropriate time.” He initially revealed the intention on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating the decision “had to do with others” and instructing the Department of War to begin testing “on an equal basis” promptly.
The White House and Pentagon have yet to provide further details regarding the scope or timeline of the resumed testing.
This proclamation arrives amidst escalating activity from other nations with nuclear capabilities. This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed the testing of a new atomic-powered, nuclear-capable underwater drone and a new nuclear-powered cruise missile. While Putin did not announce any actual nuclear weapon detonations – Russia’s last such test occurred in 1990 – he recently signed legislation revoking Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Moscow justified the move as necessary to achieve parity with the US. the CTBT, signed in 1996 by then-President Bill Clinton but never ratified by the US Senate, prohibits all nuclear explosions globally.Russia has stated it would only consider resuming nuclear weapon tests if the United States were to do so first.
Adding to the tensions, North Korea announced missile testing of a claimed ‘sea-to-surface’ weapon ahead of Trump’s visit to South Korea. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un showcased new military weaponry, including a short-range ballistic system equipped with hypersonic glide vehicles.
Trump alluded to the relative strengths of the nuclear arsenals held by Russia and China, stating, “Russia is second, and China is a distant third but will be even within 5 years.” His decision to resume testing appears directly linked to these developments and a desire to maintain a perceived strategic advantage.
