President Trump Defends Resumption of U.S. Nuclear Testing, Citing Rival Powers’ Advancements

Washington, November 3, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his administration’s decision to resume nuclear testing, asserting that Washington cannot be “the only power showing restraint” while rival nations, including Russia, China, and North Korea, continue advancing their weapons programs.

In a televised interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, President Trump argued that renewed testing is essential to maintaining America’s strategic edge, even as he acknowledged the United States already possesses enough nuclear arms “to blow up the world 150 times.”

“We have more nuclear weapons than any other country,” Trump said. “And I think we should do something about denuclearisation. I’ve discussed that with both President Putin and President Xi. But we cannot be the only country that doesn’t test.”

The president’s comments came just hours before his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Earlier in the day, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, directing the Department of Defense to begin preparations for nuclear testing “immediately.”

Citing Global Nuclear Activity

Trump defended his order by pointing to reported weapons developments in China, Russia, and North Korea.
“You do have to [test],” he said. “Russia announced they were going to do a test. North Korea’s testing constantly. Other countries are testing. We’re the only country that doesn’t test, and I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t.”

His statement followed reports from Moscow claiming that Russia had conducted a trial of its so-called “unlimited-range” Burevestnik cruise missile — a development that has drawn international attention.

Transparency and Domestic Reaction

Trump also highlighted what he described as America’s openness in discussing national security policy.
“We’re different,” he said. “We talk about it. We have to talk about it, because otherwise you people are going to report — they don’t have reporters writing about it. We do.”

The announcement marks a significant shift in U.S. nuclear policy, coming more than three decades after the last American nuclear test in 1992. However, it has drawn scepticism on Capitol Hill and concern among defense officials.

Vice Admiral Richard Correll, Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), sought to downplay the urgency of renewed testing, telling lawmakers that neither China nor Russia has conducted a nuclear explosive test in recent years.
“I believe the quote was, ‘start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis,’” Correll told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Neither China nor Russia has conducted a nuclear explosive test, so I’m not reading anything into it.”

Strategic Implications

The resumption of nuclear testing, if carried out, would represent a dramatic break from long-standing U.S. policy and could have far-reaching consequences for global arms control efforts. Critics warn that such a move might trigger a new era of nuclear competition, while supporters argue it is a necessary step to ensure the reliability of America’s deterrent arsenal amid evolving global threats.

With nuclear diplomacy once again at the forefront of global politics, Trump’s directive is likely to intensify debate over whether renewed testing strengthens U.S. security—or risks destabilising decades of international restraint.