Kathmandu: US President Donald Trump has hinted at resuming nuclear weapons testing, sparking global concern about the return of a nuclear arms race as Russia, China, and North Korea continue to expand their arsenals.

The revival of the Cold War-era nuclear policy has reignited debates over global security. Amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Russia recently confirmed the testing of its nuclear-capable Burevestnik cruise missile, while China is expanding underground silos and North Korea has unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland.

Ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that since other nations were testing weapons, he had directed the US Department of Defense to begin testing “on an equal footing.” However, the move raises legal and structural concerns, as nuclear weapons fall under the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Despite Trump’s claims of US nuclear dominance, the Arms Control Association reports that Russia possesses 5,580 nuclear weapons and the US 5,225, together accounting for about 90% of the world’s arsenal. The US last conducted a nuclear test in 1992, having signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 1996.

Experts warn that while advanced simulations make physical testing unnecessary, resuming tests would have grave political consequences. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists cautions that such a move could trigger a destabilizing new arms race. It would take an estimated two to four years to reactivate the Nevada Test Site for testing.

If implemented, Trump’s plan could reshape US defense policy and profoundly alter the global nuclear balance, experts say.