Trump Directs Pentagon to Resume U.S. Nuclear Weapons Testing
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to “immediately” restart testing of American nuclear weapons, a move that reverses a decades-long moratorium and escalates tensions with Russia and China. The directive, issued on October 30, 2025, follows recent boasts from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding advancements in RussiaS nuclear capabilities and comes ahead of planned trade discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The decision marks a significant departure from U.S. policy since 1996, when the Extensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was established.While never ratified by the U.S. Senate, the treaty served as a de facto standard, with Washington maintaining a testing pause. This shift arrives amid growing concerns about a potential nuclear arms race,fueled by Russia’s development of advanced weapons systems like the Bourevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile – described by putin as having “unlimited reach” – and the Poseidon underwater drone,which Moscow claims is impervious to interception.
Putin recently celebrated the successful final test of the Bourevestnik missile,asserting its ability to overcome existing defense systems. he further announced another successful test of the Poseidon drone on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, during a visit to a military hospital, stating, “no other device in the world is equal to this one in speed and depth.”
Trump responded to Putin’s statements, deeming them “inappropriate” and urging the Russian leader to “end the war in Ukraine.” However, the order to resume testing signals a hardening of the U.S.stance. The Pentagon has not yet announced a timeline or specific details regarding the resumption of tests.
The move also coincides with preparations for a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea, where the ongoing trade war between the two nations is expected to be a central topic of discussion. The escalation in nuclear rhetoric adds a layer of complexity to thes negotiations,potentially influencing the broader geopolitical landscape. According to publicly available data, the United States currently possesses the largest nuclear arsenal globally, followed by Russia, with China rapidly expanding its capabilities, projected to reach parity within five years.
