Did Trump voters want to see America make Europeans suffer? Make them be on their own against Russia? Face inflation, recession and loss of American goods because of these new tariffs?

I don’t remember our relationship with Europe being a big part of last year’s campaign for cheaper eggs and fewer migrants. But Trump loves to make his enemies suffer. Apparently, Europe was high on his enemies list.

Europeans are shocked. Well, yes, there were plenty of clues during his first Presidency. He was miffed at Scotland for windmills near his golf course there. He kept harping on NATO as a bad deal for the United States. (Actually, it has been a super deal for both sides for generations. A neighbor of mine owns a villa and apartment in Vicenza, Italy, after working at a U.S. military base there. European soldiers joined American fighters in Iraq when our son was a Marine there.) His first bullying of Ukraine’s newly elected president, Volodymyr Zelensky, came long before the on-camera scene in the Oval Office on Feb. 28. I remember following the revelations from his first impeachment hearings, in 2019. He had withheld U.S. defense aid while making a mob-boss-style “offer” to resume the aid only if Zelensky would smear Hunter Biden.

I hope to talk to Europeans young and old while staying for a few months in a quiet province in Italy. From what I know from the news, and from a German journalist friend, they are dismayed, feeling the shock of a lifelong friend’s betrayal. (Rick Steves, the world-travel cheerleader, says they don’t hold it against Americans individually, and some admire Trump).

Europe and America have both prospered amazingly from our post-WWII trans-Atlantic alliance. Indeed, it was like one of those rare marriages, benefiting both partners for different reasons while they held deep common commitments based on history. Europe is like some traditional spouse who wakes up to the shock of having the strong, breadwinning partner in this marriage suddenly leave home for . . . who knows what? Or why?

My optimistic side says all will be well in the end. Europe will find her independent strength, and America will learn a harsh lesson in loneliness.