Rome, October 22, 2024 – Italy’s modest defense budget could become a significant political challenge for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni if former U.S. President Donald Trump returns to the White House in 2024. With Italy currently spending below the NATO-recommended 2% of GDP on defense, Meloni may find herself pressured to boost military investments to maintain strong ties with the United States.
During his previous tenure, Trump was vocal in demanding that NATO allies increase their defense budgets, criticizing countries like Germany and Italy for not meeting spending commitments. If Trump wins, analysts expect a renewed focus on defense contributions, potentially forcing Meloni to make difficult budgetary adjustments amid Italy’s economic struggles and public debt concerns.
Meloni, who aligns with Trump on many conservative values, has positioned herself as a defender of national sovereignty and security. However, Italy’s fiscal constraints could make it challenging to meet increased military spending demands, particularly as the government grapples with inflation, public sector wages, and investments in energy transition projects.
In the event of Trump’s return to office, European leaders may face more unpredictable relations with Washington, with Trump previously suggesting that the U.S. might scale back its NATO commitments unless allies meet financial expectations. This scenario raises the stakes for Meloni, who aims to preserve Italy’s strategic partnership with the U.S. while managing domestic political challenges.
Meloni’s government has so far resisted calls for significant increases in defense spending, focusing instead on other national priorities. However, if U.S. pressure builds, Italy may need to rethink its military budget to avoid diplomatic friction with Washington and maintain its role within NATO.