2,300 years in the making, a record-setting bridge is finally in the works. Because of Trump. Sort of

A Historic Crossing Takes Shape Amid European Defense Reckoning

2 300 years in the making – More than two millennia after Roman legions first crossed the Strait of Messina on a floating wooden platform, a monumental engineering feat is finally moving forward. The ancient structure, constructed around 250 BCE using wooden decks balanced atop floating barrels, once carried 140 Carthaginian elephants from Sicily to Rome’s Circus Maximus during a triumphal procession, as recorded by the first-century chronicler Pliny the Elder. Today, that same narrow waterway is preparing for a modern marvel.

After numerous attempts by business magnates and political figures throughout history, the Italian government granted definitive authorization in August 2025 to construct a permanent crossing over the 2.3-mile channel. Backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the project awaits resolution of pending legal obstacles before becoming the longest single-span suspension bridge globally. Yet this infrastructure undertaking carries significance far beyond transportation.

The Defense Spending Connection

Meloni has positioned the bridge as essential to Italy’s national security framework. This strategic framing serves as an elegant, somewhat humorous mechanism for helping Rome satisfy demanding military expenditure requirements established by President Donald Trump and mandated through NATO. European nations must now allocate the equivalent of 5% of their gross domestic product toward defense by 2035, a substantial increase from the current 2% threshold.

These escalating requirements threaten to disrupt already strained public budgets while intensifying Europe’s broader fiscal and economic difficulties. The continent faces a difficult balancing act between strengthening military capabilities and maintaining comprehensive social welfare systems. A magnificent bridge alone cannot resolve these challenges, yet it symbolizes the considerable obstacles Europe must overcome to achieve military independence from American protection—protection that, according to Germany’s Ifo Institute, has allowed €1.8 trillion in social welfare spending since 1991.

“The assumption is there will be a massive increase in defense spending, but I’m skeptical it will happen,” said Kenningham. “Few feel strongly committed to taking on the burden from the US.”

Fiscal Pressures and Political Turmoil

Most European nations, excluding Germany, currently operate under extraordinarily constrained financial conditions. Governments have committed enormous resources to managing pandemic recovery, followed immediately by aggressive interest rate increases to combat inflation. These dual economic shocks impacted European economies more severely than the United States, which benefited from a more diversified industrial base and leading-edge artificial intelligence development.

To address mounting debt obligations, numerous European countries implemented tax increases alongside reductions in social programs. This approach triggered significant political instability across multiple nations. France experienced seven different prime ministers within seven years, while Britain prepares to appoint its sixth leader in a similar timeframe. Such political volatility creates an unfavorable climate for implementing substantial military expenditure increases.

“If the increased defense budget is spent wisely, it could bolster long-run productivity and economic growth,” said Ethan Ilzetzki, professor at the London School of Economics.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently announced that European nations must begin increasing military spending by “literally billions of dollars.” Trump has intensified pressure through both private and public channels, expressing frustration over inadequate progress toward meeting defense targets. His strategy includes potentially reducing American military presence in Europe—a move that began in May when the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany.

Germany, supported by its strong manufacturing sector, has accelerated defense expenditures with a clear trajectory toward the 5% objective. Several eastern European nations, including Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia, have demonstrated considerable advancement. Conversely, the United Kingdom intends to boost spending through domestic budget reductions, though substantial portions remain unfunded. France’s parliament recently approved a €436 billion defense program despite inadequate financial backing.

Italy has publicly questioned its ability to achieve the targets, while Spain has openly rejected the bloc’s requirements. Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics, noted that many countries face considerable difficulty meaningfully reducing welfare systems or restructuring spending models. He highlighted that France’s debt could surge to 150% of GDP by 2035 if defense targets are met, compared to the current 135% level.