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 – For more than two millennia, the Strait of Messina has challenged engineers and visionaries alike. The concept traces back to 250 BCE, when Roman forces constructed a temporary crossing using wooden planks balanced atop floating barrels. According to the ancient historian Pliny the Elder, this improvised structure enabled soldiers to parade 140 Carthaginian elephants from Sicily directly to Rome’s Circus Maximus during a triumphal procession.

Now, after countless attempts by political and commercial figures throughout history, a permanent solution is emerging. In August 2025, Italy’s government granted final authorization to construct a bridge spanning the 2.3-mile waterway. With Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s backing, the project moves forward despite pending legal obstacles. Once finished, it would claim the title of the world’s longest single-span suspension bridge.

More Than Concrete and Steel

Meloni has framed this infrastructure undertaking as essential to Italy’s security posture. The timing proves strategic, offering a creative pathway to satisfy demanding military expenditure requirements championed by President Donald Trump and mandated through NATO frameworks.

These requirements compel European nations to allocate 5% of their gross domestic product toward defense capabilities by 2035, a substantial jump from the current 2% threshold. Such obligations threaten to strain already compressed national budgets while intensifying broader economic difficulties across the continent.

“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.”

The dilemma forces European policymakers to weigh military investment against social welfare commitments. A magnificent bridge cannot resolve this tension entirely, yet it symbolizes the continent’s broader struggle to achieve strategic autonomy from American protection. Germany’s Ifo Institute estimates that U.S. security guarantees have liberated approximately €1.8 trillion for European social programs since 1991.

Fiscal Pressures Mount Across the Continent

Most European economies find themselves in precarious financial positions, with the notable exception of Germany. Governments have shouldered enormous expenditures addressing the pandemic crisis, then confronted elevated interest rates designed to combat subsequent inflation. These compounded shocks impacted European markets more severely than American ones, which benefited from economic diversification and a leading artificial intelligence infrastructure expansion.

Consequently, numerous nations have implemented tax increases alongside welfare reductions. The political consequences have been significant. France experienced seven different prime ministers over seven years, while Britain prepares to appoint its sixth leader in the same timeframe.

“That’s not exactly the best environment to start increasing military spending by ‘literally billions of dollars,’ as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced Tuesday.”

Trump has intensified pressure through threats of reduced American military presence. Beginning in May, the Pentagon initiated plans to remove 5,000 soldiers stationed in Germany. This development prompted Berlin to accelerate defense investments with a clear trajectory toward the 5% objective.

Varied Responses Across Europe

Eastern European nations bordering Russia have shown particular momentum. Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia have advanced considerably toward meeting their commitments. Meanwhile, other countries face mounting difficulties.

Britain intends to boost expenditures through reallocation from other budget categories, though substantial portions remain unfunded. France’s legislature recently approved a €436 billion defense package, yet critics note the allocation falls short of actual requirements. Italy has publicly expressed doubts about achieving the targets. Spain has gone further, openly rejecting the new obligations.

Andrew Kenningham, Capital Economics’ lead European economist, emphasized that numerous nations confront simultaneous political turbulence and financial constraints. He warned that France’s debt-to-GDP ratio could surge from 135% to 150% by 2035 if defense spending increases materialize as projected.

“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.

Advocates maintain that strategic defense investment could catalyze regional economic expansion. Whether this optimism proves justified remains one of Europe’s defining questions as it navigates an uncertain future.