Citing nuclear weapons testing by Pakistan, Russia, and China, President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will resume its own nuclear tests after a 30-year moratorium. Trump explained that these other nations test without the public discourse seen in the US, stating, “We talk about it. We have to talk about it because otherwise you people are going to report.” He views the testing activities of Russia, China, and North Korea as a clear signal that the US must also engage in testing to avoid falling behind. “We’re going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do,” Trump declared, emphasizing that the US has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. This decision is a significant escalation following Russia’s recent unveiling of sophisticated nuclear-capable systems. Trump framed the resumption of testing as an “appropriate” response to the evolving geopolitical landscape and the advancements made by other nuclear powers, ensuring the US maintains its strategic advantage.
