Lee Jae-myung Addresses US Nuclear Test Resumption Ahead of Xi Jinping Meeting
Trump Announces Resumption of Nuclear Testing Ahead of Xi Meeting, Raising International Tensions
International tensions are escalating as U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly orders the resumption of nuclear weapons testing. On October 30, 2025, President Trump officially announced the directive to resume nuclear testing via his social media platform, 'Truth Social.' This announcement is particularly noteworthy as it comes ahead of a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Trump's decision is expected to mark a significant turning point in U.S. nuclear policy. The United States had been adhering to a moratorium on nuclear testing since 1992, in line with international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation. This shift in U.S. policy is likely to have a considerable impact on the international security environment.
President Trump specifically instructed the Department of Defense to "begin our nuclear weapons testing program at a level equivalent to that of other nations' nuclear testing programs." This is interpreted as reflecting U.S. concerns about the nuclear capabilities of Russia and China. President Trump has previously criticized Russia and China for accelerating their nuclear weapons development, emphasizing the need to strengthen U.S. nuclear deterrence. The resumption of nuclear testing appears to stem from this context. The U.S. decision to resume nuclear testing is likely to have a ripple effect on the nuclear policies of other nuclear-weapon states, including Russia and China. Some fear that President Trump's decision could trigger a new arms race.
The last time the United States conducted a nuclear test was on September 23, 1992, at the Nevada Test Site, in an experiment called 'Divider.' The experiment was conducted underground to assess the performance of U.S. nuclear weapons and to obtain data necessary for the development of new nuclear weapons. Since then, the United States has maintained a moratorium on nuclear testing, participating in efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation. However, President Trump's decision marks a radical shift in U.S. nuclear policy after more than 30 years. Critics argue that resuming U.S. nuclear testing could intensify nuclear weapons development competition and weaken international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation. There are also concerns that it could send a negative signal to countries subject to denuclearization negotiations, such as North Korea.
President Trump's announcement to resume nuclear testing, coming before his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, carries even more complex implications. President Trump has previously taken a hard line on China's unfair trade practices and military expansion in the South China Sea. Some analysts suggest that this resumption of nuclear testing could be used as a means of applying pressure on China. Furthermore, it appears that President Trump also intends to showcase U.S. military power and rally domestic support through this decision. The resumption of U.S. nuclear testing is expected to have a significant impact on the security environment in Northeast Asia. In particular, a thorough analysis and preparation are needed to address the impact on South Korea's security. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is carefully considering his position on the U.S. decision to resume nuclear testing and plans to develop a response in close consultation with relevant government departments.
President Trump's directive to resume nuclear testing can be interpreted as a challenge to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The international community has been making various efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, pursuing nuclear disarmament negotiations with the goal of a 'world without nuclear weapons.' However, President Trump's decision is likely to face criticism as an act that pours cold water on these international efforts. It remains to be seen what repercussions the resumption of U.S. nuclear testing will have on the international community and what impact it will have on the nuclear policies of various countries. The handling of the nuclear issue at the summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping is also a matter of significant interest. Depending on the outcome of this summit, the international security environment could become more unstable, or new opportunities for cooperation could open up.
