Trump Orders US Nuclear Weapons Testing to Match Russia China

President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. Department of Defense to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately, citing the need to match the nuclear testing activities of Russia and China. Trump expressed reluctance due to the destructive power of such tests but justified the move as necessary to maintain parity with other nuclear powers, particularly in light of Russia's recent tests of advanced nuclear-capable systems like the Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon underwater drone. The U.S. has not conducted nuclear warhead detonations since 1992, adhering to a longstanding moratorium, but Trump’s directive marks a significant shift in policy. Russia has denied that its recent weapons tests violate nuclear testing regulations, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarifying that these were not nuclear tests in the traditional sense. The announcement has raised global concerns about a potential arms race and the destabilization of international security, as the U.S. aims to ensure its nuclear readiness alongside its rivals. Trump’s decision comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and was made public on social media shortly before a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping focused on trade issues.