There are concerns in Rome over whether Italy will be able to hit NATO’s defence spending target, reports say, which would likely anger Donald Trump. Italy said it would meet the alliance’s 2% of GDP on defence target this year, but the government is privately unsure whether that will be possible, according to reports.
The country had planned to boost its defence pursestrings through accounting changes, however POLITICO reports two Italian officials familiar with the budget talks are not sure whether this will be accepted by NATO or the European Commission. The Italian government expects to face pressure to increase its spending from the US and EU at June’s NATO summit in The Hague, the anonymous officials told POLITICO. They also said the alliance and the Commission could challenge the legal justification for the move.
Italy spent 1.49% of its GDP on defence in 2024 – one of the lowest in NATO, official figures show.
Failure to increase the spending is likely to frustrate the US President who has regularly criticised the alliance for years.
Mr Trump has said he believes members should be spending 5% of their GDP – more than what any member currently spends, including the US.
He previously said he would not defend NATO nations not paying enough for their own defence.
“It’s common sense, right,” he said. “If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them. No, I’m not going to defend them.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has also urged alliance members to spend considerably more on defence.
It comes amid mounting tensions with Russia and ongoing concerns over US commitment to NATO and European security.
The UK has unveiled plans to increase its defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, however critics have claimed the uplift isn’t enough.
Several NATO members have confirmed plans to boost their forces.
Earlier this week, Denmark unveiled £457 million plans to overhaul its naval forces, citing the threat posed by Russia.
This includes dozens of new vessels, drones and sonar systems.