Trump Orders Immediate Resumption Of US Nuclear Tests, Ending 33-Year Moratorium

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (30 October) directed the Department of Defence to restart nuclear weapons testing “on an equal basis", Times of India reported.

He made the announcement on Truth Social, citing similar testing initiatives by “other countries” as the reason for the decision.

Trump’s directive came hours before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

He emphasised that the testing process “will begin immediately.”

Trump claimed that the United States possesses the largest nuclear arsenal globally, placing Russia second and China “a distant third.”

The US President acknowledged the “tremendous destructive power” of nuclear weapons but maintained he had “no choice” other than modernizing America’s nuclear systems.

"The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years,” Trump wrote in his post.

The United States last conducted a nuclear test in 1992 at an underground Nevada facility, according to a BBC report.

That 33-year moratorium will now be lifted by Trump’s directive, reportedly in response to Russia’s recent test of a nuclear-powered missile with "unlimited range".

"Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP,” he added.

Trump’s statement came just before Chinese President Xi’s arrival in South Korea for their first meeting since 2019.

The post was made while Trump was aboard Marine One.

The announcement coincided with Russia’s tests of two nuclear-capable systems — the 9M730 Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone — which Moscow described as long-range strategic weapons.

Trump criticised Russia’s missile trials as “inappropriate” and urged President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“He ought to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now in its fourth year. That's what he ought to do instead of testing missiles," Trump said.

Meanwhile, Putin defended the tests, calling the Poseidon drone “unmatched” in interception capability and a key component of Russia’s defence.

He also claimed the Burevestnik missile’s nuclear reactor is “1,000 times smaller” than submarine reactors and can activate within minutes.

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