While Donald Trump’s demands from European allies may resonate deeply with GOP stakeholders and the Republican electorate, there has been little consideration of the fact that his articulated Europe policy — or at least what is known of it — may ultimately prove self-defeating. Rather than making Europe less reliant on U.S. security guarantees, it risks leaving the continent more vulnerable to both Russian aggression and Chinese economic dominance.

Europe, for its part, is bracing for the worst, albeit in its characteristically fragmented and uncoordinated fashion. The European Commission is reportedly devising deterrence-based scenarios in anticipation of an almost inevitable trade clash with the U.S., while member state governments are busy currying favor with potential figures in a future Trump administration. Their hope? Securing even a sliver of goodwill or, at best, preferential treatment over fellow Europeans in matters of defense spending or trade negotiations.

From what can be discerned of Trump’s prospective strategy, two priorities stand out: reducing the U.S. trade deficit with the EU and pushing European allies to shoulder more of the defense burden. These are not radical objectives; in fact, they reflect enduring U.S. national interests and enjoy considerable bipartisan support. Both burden-sharing and safeguarding strategic........

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