The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has caused a shockwave on the international stage by announcing that he has ordered the Pentagon to resume testing American nuclear weapons.
The decision came just hours before his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, held on Thursday in Busan, South Korea.
"Due to the testing programs of other countries, I have instructed the Department of War to begin testing our nuclear weapons on equal terms. The process will start immediately," Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.
The White House leader added that the United States possesses "more nuclear weapons than any other country," stating that the American arsenal has been completely modernized during his first term. "Because of their immense destructive power, I hate to do this, but I had no choice," he explained.
Trump mentioned that Russia is "in second place," and China is "far behind, but will come close to the US in the next five years."
His decision came after Vladimir Putin recently tested a nuclear-armed underwater drone, a show of strength interpreted in Washington as a direct challenge.
"Partners and friends," says Xi Jinping
In this tense context, Xi Jinping tried to convey a conciliatory message at the beginning of the bilateral meeting. "China and the United States must strive to be partners and friends," declared the Chinese president, adding that the two major powers can "collaborate on ambitious projects for the benefit of the whole world."
Donald Trump described Xi as "a formidable negotiator" and said he expects a "very successful" meeting.
The two leaders met five times during the Republican's first term, the last time in 2019, but bilateral relations rapidly deteriorated in recent years, with the escalation of the trade war and strategic tensions.
Trade truce and reciprocal concessions
The Busan summit is meant to relaunch dialogue between the two superpowers after months of trade disputes.
According to the American press, the advisors of the two leaders have been working on a possible truce that would include a reduction in customs tariffs imposed on China and a resumption of rare earth exports to the United States.
American Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that Beijing is considering relaxing restrictions on rare earth metals – vital resources for the automotive, electronics, and defense industries. In return, Washington could abandon some surtaxes introduced by Trump during his first administration, in the name of the "America First" doctrine.
Global context of the nuclear decision
The announcement of resuming nuclear tests amplifies uncertainties regarding the new American strategy. The Trump administration, in its second term since January 2025, has stated that it seeks "an active deterrence posture" against the "military ambitions" of Russia and China.
Washington has not conducted nuclear tests since 1992, so Trump's decision marks a departure from the restraint policy adopted by previous administrations.
International observers warn that such a step could reignite a global arms race at a time when arms control systems and non-proliferation treaties are becoming increasingly fragile.