Why it matters:
A U.S. decision to resume nuclear testing would mark the end of a decades‑long global moratorium and risk igniting a new arms race. Washington’s move could prompt Russia, China, and other nuclear powers to accelerate their own programs, undermining non‑proliferation treaties and destabilizing international security. While Trump frames the tests as necessary for deterrence and safety, the contradiction between calls for denuclearization and renewed weapons development underscores the deep tension within U.S. nuclear policy — a tension that could erode trust in global arms‑control frameworks and fuel escalating geopolitical competition.
The big picture:
U.S. nuclear policy has long been criticized for fueling an arms race. By modernizing its warheads and signaling a potential return to testing, Washington risks undermining global non‑proliferation norms.
Analysts warn that renewed testing could prompt Russia, China, and other nuclear powers to accelerate their own programs, eroding decades of restraint established under treaties such as the Comprehensive Nuclear‑Test‑Ban Treaty (CTBT).
The contradiction between calls for denuclearization and actions that expand nuclear capabilities underscores a persistent tension in U.S. strategy — balancing deterrence with a professed commitment to disarmament and arms‑control leadership.
What he's saying:
“We’re going to resume nuclear testing because other countries test… we have more nuclear weapons than any other nation,” Trump said Friday en route to Florida.
He added that while he opposed expanding the arsenal, he felt compelled to do so because U.S. rivals were advancing their programs.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the president’s remarks on Wednesday, saying that the planned tests are intended to verify the safety and reliability of U.S. weapons.
Between the lines:
Trump also expressed interest in eventual denuclearization, noting that the United States currently leads in nuclear stockpiles, followed by Russia, with China “a distant third” but expected to catch up within five years.
“What I would like to do is go toward denuclearization,” he said.
Russia's reaction:
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned on Thursday that a U.S. nuclear test would effectively end the decades‑long global moratorium on such testing.
He said Russia would respond in kind should other nations resume tests, echoing President Vladimir Putin’s earlier remarks on maintaining strategic balance.
What’s next:
If the United States proceeds with testing, it could usher in a new era of competitive nuclear development, further complicating arms‑control negotiations and heightening global security risks.
Go deeper:
Russia Warns It Will Retaliate if U.S. Resumes Nuclear Testing
Hossein Amiri - m.sarabi
