In a decision that has shocked the international scene, US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will resume nuclear weapons testing, a practice that has not been conducted for more than thirty years.
The statement, made public via social media shortly before the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, has sparked waves of reactions around the world, highlighting the risk of a new arms race.
Trump, explaining his decision, stated that “The United States possesses more nuclear weapons than any other country. This goal was achieved during my first term, through the complete modernization of the arsenal. Due to the testing programs of other countries, I have ordered the Department of War to immediately begin our own nuclear testing. I did not want this, but I had no other choice.”
As La Repubblica writes, this decision comes as a signal directly addressed to both Moscow and Beijing, reinforcing the idea that the US intends to reaffirm its military superiority at a time when global balances are more fragile than ever.
A coded message for Moscow and Beijing
Against the backdrop of ongoing tensions with Russia and China, this decision is seen as part of a demonstrative strategy of force.
On the one hand, Vladimir Putin continues to threaten the West with aggressive rhetoric and missile tests, while on the other, Xi Jinping has ordered the Chinese military to be "ready for the invasion of Taiwan" by 2027.
According to international analysts, Trump may have intended, through this step, to warn geopolitical opponents that the US remains the dominant military force in the world and has no intention of allowing any kind of strategic drawdown.
The decision also comes at a critical moment in the war in Ukraine, where diplomatic efforts for peace remain sluggish. Sources close to the US administration say the move could be part of a pressure tactic to force Russia to take negotiations to end the war seriously.
International reactions
The first public reaction came from Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated, “China hopes that the United States will abide by its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and take concrete measures to safeguard the global disarmament system and international strategic stability.”
In Western diplomatic circles, this decision is seen as a sign of a return to Cold War logic, at a time when the world order faces numerous challenges, from the conflict in Ukraine to rising tensions in the South China Sea.
Although some experts interpret this move as a short-term negotiating tactic, others warn that the resumption of nuclear testing could undermine decades of disarmament efforts and lead to a new arms race between the great powers.