Trump orders immediate U.S. nuclear weapons testing and green-lights South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine:

In a surprising move, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he has ordered the Department of Defense to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing, stating that the United States must test “on an equal basis” with other nuclear-armed nations. The announcement came just before his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Busan, South Korea. Trump highlighted that while the U.S. already “has more nuclear weapons than any other country,” he warned that China “will be even within five years.” He attributed the decision to ongoing nuclear programs in other countries, saying, “I have instructed the Department of War [Defense] to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.” It remains unclear whether Trump’s directive refers to flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles or full-scale nuclear-explosive testing, which would involve significant regulatory oversight. The U.S. has not conducted a nuclear explosion since 1992, following a testing moratorium initiated after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Experts say resuming testing could have major implications for global arms control and non-proliferation efforts. Expanding South Korea’s Military Capabilities Alongside this announcement, Trump also revealed that he has approved U.S. support for South Korea to build its own nuclear-powered submarine. He described the move as an upgrade from South Korea’s “old-fashioned and far less nimble diesel-powered submarines” and confirmed that the vessel would be constructed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where South Korean company Hanwha operates a shipyard. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung emphasized that the submarines would be conventionally armed, powered by nuclear propulsion, rather than carrying nuclear weapons. He explained that revising the countries’ nuclear energy agreement to allow uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing would provide the fuel needed for these submarines. “If fuel supply is permitted, we can build several submarines equipped with conventional weapons using our own technology to defend the waters around the Korean Peninsula, ultimately reducing the burden on U.S. forces,” Lee said. This step would place South Korea among a small group of nations capable of operating nuclear-powered submarines, including the U.S., China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and India. The U.S. has historically only shared this technology once before — with the United Kingdom in the 1950s. Global Implications Trump’s announcement comes amid growing concern over China’s nuclear stockpile, which is currently estimated at around 600 warheads, with projections of more than 1,000 operational warheads by 2030. Russia, meanwhile, maintains over 5,400 nuclear warheads, while the U.S. has approximately 5,550, with around 3,800 deployed. Analysts warn that resuming nuclear testing could spark a new arms race, heightening tensions in East Asia and globally. South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine program could also reshape regional security dynamics, providing Seoul with a stronger deterrent and reducing reliance on U.S. forces. What to Watch Key questions remain regarding the type, timing, and scale of U.S. nuclear testing, as well as the technical and legal framework for South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarines. The international community, particularly China and Russia, is likely to closely monitor these developments, which could significantly impact global security and arms control treaties. Trump’s twin announcements signal a major recalibration of U.S. defense and alliance policies, emphasizing both nuclear capability and regional security partnerships. The next months will reveal how these decisions affect strategic balances in East Asia and around the world.

NEWS