President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992, citing the need to keep pace with rival powers Russia and China.

The directive came just ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

In a social media post, Trump stated, “Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.” He emphasized that the U.S. currently holds the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, followed by Russia, with China in “a distant third.”

The president acknowledged the “tremendous destructive power” of nuclear weapons but argued that updating and renovating the U.S. arsenal is necessary to maintain strategic parity. He also warned that China’s nuclear program could rival the U.S. within five years.

Historical context: last US nuclear test

The last American nuclear test occurred on September 23, 1992, at an underground facility in Nevada, code-named Project Divider. That test was the 1,054th U.S. nuclear detonation and marked the end of an era, as President George H.W. Bush imposed a moratorium following the Cold War.

The Nevada Test Site, located 65 miles north of Las Vegas, remains maintained by the U.S. government and could be authorized for testing if deemed necessary, according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History.

Trump’s announcement and timing

Trump’s post coincided with his arrival in South Korea for the first face-to-face summit with Xi Jinping since 2019. The announcement came while he was aboard Marine One en route to Gimhae International Airport, signaling a strong message of U.S. nuclear readiness ahead of high-level talks.

While Trump provided no technical details on the testing process, he indicated that “the process will begin immediately,” marking a significant shift from decades of U.S. policy.

The decision to resume nuclear testing may escalate tensions with major powers and reshape global nuclear strategy. Experts warn that while the U.S. maintains a superior arsenal, renewed testing could spark a new arms race with Russia, China, and other nuclear-capable nations.

Observers will be closely monitoring developments, including potential international responses and the timeline of forthcoming tests.