By: Sunday Ameh
Former United States President Donald Trump has directed the resumption of nuclear weapons testing, a move that has triggered widespread condemnation from world leaders, peace advocates, and nuclear watchdog groups.
Trump announced the directive earlier this week on his social media platform, stating that the United States must match nuclear testing efforts by other global powers “on an equal basis.” The U.S. has not conducted a live nuclear test since 1992.
“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons,” Trump said.
The announcement came ahead of a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, heightening geopolitical tensions and renewing fears of an international nuclear arms race.
World Leaders Condemn Move
Iran described the decision as “dangerous, regressive and irresponsible,” warning that it undermines decades-long global efforts to prevent nuclear escalation.
Japan’s leading atomic survivors’ organisation, Nihon Hidankyo, also issued a strongly worded protest, calling the directive “an insult to global peace efforts” and a threat to survivors of past nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, through his spokesperson, reaffirmed global opposition to nuclear testing, stating that it “can never be permitted under any circumstances.”
China urged Washington to respect international arms control treaties, while Russia indicated it could follow suit if the U.S. proceeds with live tests.
The United States officially halted nuclear explosive testing in 1992, switching to simulated and subcritical tests. It remains a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which prohibits all nuclear explosions for military or civilian purposes.
However, critics fear Trump’s directive could erode the treaty framework and prompt rival states to resume full-scale nuclear testing.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance defended the move, saying the nation must ensure its nuclear arsenal “functions properly,” though he did not confirm whether full explosive tests would occur.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute recently estimated global nuclear stockpiles at:
Russia: 5,489 warheads
United States: 5,177 warheads
China: 600 warheads
Trump has previously claimed the U.S. holds the world’s largest nuclear arsenal — a statement disputed by global security analysts.
Despite calling for nuclear readiness, Trump also repeated his interest in negotiating a reduction in nuclear stockpiles with Russia and China, saying “denuclearisation would be a tremendous thing.”
Historic Context
The U.S. has conducted more than 1,000 nuclear tests since first detonating an atomic device in New Mexico in 1945. It remains the only country to have used nuclear weapons in combat, after bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
Global security analysts warn that renewed nuclear testing could destabilise decades of non-proliferation efforts and deepen strategic rivalries between nuclear-armed states.
Leave a Reply