Sign in Subscribe
Nuclear testing

Trump Suggests Resuming Nuclear Testing, Contradicting Global Ban

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Donald Trump appeared to suggest the U.S. would resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades, sparking concerns and criticism worldwide. Trump's announcement on social media minutes before a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea evoked Cold War-era escalations and raised questions about the U.S. commitment to global nonproliferation efforts. The Kremlin warned that Russia would follow suit if any country resumes nuclear testing, highlighting the potential for an arms race.

Key Takeaways:

  • Trump's announcement suggests the U.S. may resume nuclear testing for the first time since 1992, contradicting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
  • The Kremlin warned that Russia would resume nuclear testing if other countries do so, highlighting the potential for an arms race.
  • The U.S. military regularly tests missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads, but has not detonated the warheads since 1992.
  • Trump suggested changes were necessary because other countries are testing nuclear weapons, but did not specify which countries he was referring to.
  • The White House did not immediately respond to questions seeking more details about Trump's announcement.
  • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reaffirmed an earlier warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said that Moscow would resume nuclear tests if others do so first.
  • Other countries, including China and Russia, have tested nuclear-capable systems in recent years, but have not detonated actual warheads.
  • Trump's announcement sparked criticism from experts and survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
  • The U.S. has no reason to resume nuclear explosive testing, according to Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association.

Statistics:

  • The U.S. has not detonated nuclear warheads since 1992.
  • The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed by President Bill Clinton and adopted by all countries possessing nuclear weapons, but never ratified by the Senate.
  • Russia and China have tested nuclear-capable systems in recent years, but have not detonated actual warheads.
  • The U.S. has more nuclear weapons than any other country, according to Trump's own statement.
  • It would take at least 36 months to resume testing at the former test site in Nevada, according to the Arms Control Association.

Sources:

  • AP (Associated Press)
  • Putin (Russian President Vladimir Putin)
  • Peskov (Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov)
  • Xi Jinping (Chinese Leader)
  • Daryl Kimball (Executive Director, Arms Control Association)
  • Jiro Hamasumi (Secretary General, Nihon Hidankyo)
  • Associated Press writers (Konstantin Toropin, Ken Moritsugu, Mari Yamaguchi)

Read more