The E.U. has pushed back against President Trump’s latest threat to impose a 50% import tariff on all E.U. goods, warning trade must be built on “respect."

Trump’s lead envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Steve Witkoff, has had similar moments of confusion. In an interview in March, he could not name the regions over which the war is being fought. “These so-called four regions,” he said, struggling to recall them. “Donbas, Crimea... You know the names.”