Trump’s Sends Embarrassing Typo in Letter to World Leader

President Trump’s “America First” trade push took a clumsy—and globally embarrassing—turn this week after the White House sent a formal letter to a foreign head of state… and misgendered her.

The letter, part of a series of tariff threats aimed at countries from Asia to Eastern Europe, was meant for Željka Cvijanović, the Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But despite her official title and correct use of “Her Excellency,” the letter addressed her as “Mr. President.”

After swift mockery online and criticism from foreign policy experts, the post was quietly taken down from Trump’s Truth Social account and replaced with a corrected version that read, “Dear Madam President.”

Cvijanović isn’t exactly a stranger to the U.S. government. In 2022, she was sanctioned by the Biden administration for her role in undermining the Dayton Accords, the U.S.-brokered peace agreement that ended the Bosnian War in the 1990s—a conflict that left over 100,000 dead. The U.K. followed suit with similar sanctions. Her leadership is viewed in many diplomatic circles as hostile to democratic institutions.

“Getting her title wrong isn’t just a typo,” said retired U.S. ambassador Susan Hartley. “It signals a sloppy, careless approach to international diplomacy—and at a time when credibility matters more than ever.”

The gaffe came as Trump announced a sweeping rollout of tariffs unless dozens of countries cut trade deals with the U.S. by August 1. Trump had previously promised to ink “90 deals in 90 days”—a vow that has largely fizzled, with only the U.K., Vietnam, and a tentative agreement with China signed so far.

In the meantime, Trump has adopted a new tactic: threats by letter.

In the span of a day, he posted tariff warning letters to leaders of countries including Japan, Korea, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Tunisia. The language was dramatic and, at times, condescending.

“If you wish to open your heretofore closed Trading Markets… we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment,” the letter read. “You will never be disappointed with The United States of America.”

But Wall Street was not impressed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 500 points Monday following the release of the letters, spooking investors worried about global trade instability.

Trump defended the approach Monday during an impromptu press call at Mar-a-Lago.

“We’re going to send many more letters—maybe more than 90,” he said. “Some will adjust a little. We’re not going to be unfair. We could ask for a lot more, but I’m being very nice.”

Progressives and trade experts dismissed the remarks.

“This isn’t diplomacy. It’s dollar-store brinkmanship,” said Rachel Weiss, a senior trade analyst at the Brookings Institution. “And frankly, it’s dangerous when the president treats international agreements like overdue library notices.”

The misgendered letter quickly went viral, with the hashtag #DearMrPresident trending on X (formerly Twitter).

“Next time maybe don’t use a mail merge template for foreign heads of state,” one user quipped.

Others pointed out the irony that Trump—who has railed against so-called “woke culture”—was now at the center of an international controversy over pronouns and gender respect.

As of Tuesday morning, no public apology had been issued to Cvijanović.

This blunder may be one typo in a long document—but it’s one with global consequences. For allies and rivals alike, it underscores the erratic and unpredictable nature of Trump’s second-term trade agenda.