Nuclear testing: Trump defends push to resume trials despite global moratorium

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to resume nuclear‑weapons testing, arguing that it is necessary to verify the reliability of the nation’s arsenal. In a recent interview, he said the United States must test its nuclear weapons like other countries, emphasizing that the stockpile is capable of “blowing up the world 150 times.” His remarks come despite a Congress‑mandated moratorium on nuclear testing that has been in place for more than three decades; the last full‑scale U.S. nuclear explosion occurred in 1992. Resuming such tests would likely require substantial time and investment, with costs estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified that any testing ordered by Trump would not involve actual nuclear detonations. Instead, the program would consist of “non‑critical tests” as part of a broader modernization effort. Trump’s claim that Russia and China are secretly conducting nuclear tests has been disputed. Russia’s last confirmed test was in 1990 and China’s in 1996. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that recent trials of Russia’s Burevestnik nuclear‑powered cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone did not involve nuclear explosions. China’s Foreign Ministry has urged the United States to honor its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear‑Test‑Ban Treaty and to maintain the global testing moratorium.

The proposal has sparked debate within the United States. Vice President J.D. Vance and several Republican lawmakers have backed Trump’s initiative, arguing that non‑detonative testing is essential to ensure the reliability of America’s aging nuclear arsenal. Trump has also called for global denuclearization, asserting that the United States possesses enough nuclear weapons to “blow up the world 150 times” and noting that Russia and China also have substantial arsenals. The development carries significant implications for global nuclear‑disarmament efforts and international relations. As the United States contemplates resuming nuclear testing, other nations are watching closely, with some expressing concern about the potential consequences. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges of achieving global denuclearization and the need for continued diplomatic efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear conflict.