U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Defense to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately. This announcement comes just before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Trump stated on Truth Social, "Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately."

Trump's order follows recent nuclear tests conducted by Russia. President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia successfully tested a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo, which analysts believe could cause significant destruction to coastal areas. This test was part of a series of military demonstrations by Russia, including the testing of a new Burevestnik cruise missile and nuclear launch drills.

In his social media post, Trump emphasized the need for the U.S. to keep pace with other nuclear powers. He noted, "Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years." The U.S. has not conducted a nuclear test since 1992, while Russia last tested a nuclear weapon in 1990.

The resumption of testing could provide critical data on the effectiveness of existing nuclear arsenals and the development of new weapons. Such tests are often viewed as a demonstration of military strength, particularly in the context of rising tensions with both Russia and China.

As Trump prepares for discussions with Xi, the two leaders are expected to address ongoing trade tensions between their countries. The meeting in Busan marks their first face-to-face encounter since Trump returned to office in January. Analysts suggest that the trade war, which has escalated recently due to China's proposed restrictions on rare-earth mineral exports, may complicate the talks.

Trump has expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with Xi, but the geopolitical landscape remains fraught with challenges. The potential for further economic conflict looms as both nations adopt more aggressive stances in their competition for global influence.

The U.S. has historically been a leader in nuclear weapons development, having initiated the nuclear era with tests in 1945. The implications of resuming nuclear testing could resonate beyond military strategy, affecting international relations and global security dynamics.