Does Trump’s nuclear testing raise the stakes – or are we already in an arms race?

In a dramatic policy shift, former President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will resume nuclear weapons testing, citing the testing programs of other nations as justification. This announcement, made via his social media platform Truth Social, comes as Trump prepares to meet with the Chinese president. The move has sparked widespread concern among experts, who warn it could escalate global nuclear tensions. While Trump did not specify whether the testing would involve delivery systems or the weapons themselves, the implications are significant. The decision marks a potential departure from decades of restraint, as the US has not conducted a nuclear test since 1992. Experts fear this could trigger a domino effect, prompting Russia and China to follow suit. The announcement coincides with rising geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula, as well as China’s ambitions in Taiwan. Critics argue that resuming nuclear testing could undermine international security and fuel a dangerous arms race. The White House has yet to clarify the details of the plan, leaving the global community on edge.