ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (FN) — President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States will resume nuclear weapons testing if other countries do, signaling a potential shift in longstanding American policy aimed at curbing global proliferation.
Speaking to reporters during a flight, Trump offered a brief but pointed response when asked about the possibility of renewed testing. “We’re going to do some testing, yeah, and other countries do it. If they’re going to do it, we’re going to do it,” he said, without elaborating on the type or scope of testing.
The comment comes amid rising tensions over nuclear capabilities in Russia and China, both of which have expanded their arsenals and conducted advanced weapons trials in recent years. The ambiguity surrounding Trump’s statement has raised questions about whether the U.S. intends to resume full-scale detonations or limited subcritical experiments.
The United States has not conducted a full nuclear test since 1992, relying instead on simulations and non-explosive methods to maintain its stockpile. Any move to resume testing would mark a dramatic departure from current practice and could reignite global arms competition.
Defense analysts warn that such a shift could undermine decades of deterrence strategy and destabilize international security frameworks. They argue that renewed testing by the U.S. might prompt reciprocal actions from other nuclear powers, escalating tensions and eroding trust.
The administration has not released formal guidance on the matter, and it remains unclear whether Trump’s remarks reflect an imminent policy change or a rhetorical posture aimed at strategic signaling.
Foreign governments are expected to monitor the situation closely. Russia has previously indicated it would respond in kind to any U.S. nuclear testing, while China has maintained a policy of ambiguity regarding its own testing protocols.
Arms control advocates have expressed concern that any resumption of testing could jeopardize global non-proliferation efforts and weaken existing treaties, including the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which remains unsigned by several key nations.
The Pentagon has not commented on operational plans or timelines related to testing. Officials have emphasized that any decision would require extensive review and coordination across multiple agencies.
As global powers navigate a shifting nuclear landscape, Trump’s remarks have injected fresh uncertainty into an already fragile strategic environment.
