It's this kind of stuff

Just about the time you permit yourself to consider that he may have some native diplomatic chops, the Very Stable Genius goes and does something like this:

President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a testy phone call on May 25 over new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration targeting steel and aluminum imports coming from Canada, including one moment during the conversation in which Trump made an erroneous historical reference, sources familiar with the discussion told CNN. 

According to the sources, Trudeau pressed Trump on how he could justify the tariffs as a "national security" issue. In response, Trump quipped to Trudeau, "Didn't you guys burn down the White House?" referring to the War of 1812. 

The problem with Trump's comments to Trudeau is that British troops burned down the White House during the War of 1812. Historians note the British attack on Washington was in retaliation for the American attack on York, Ontario, in territory that eventually became Canada, which was then a British colony.

When asked if the comment was received as a joke, one source on the call said: "To the degree one can ever take what is said as a joke. The impact on Canada and ultimately on workers in the US won't be a laughing matter." 

The White House declined to comment and the National Security Council did not immediately return a CNN request for comment.

Let us parse the levels:

1. That kind of half-bro-humor / half-alpha-male-strutting stuff may be the currency of the realm in the world of Manhattan real estate, but this is international diplomacy.
2. It's another instance of going out of his way to alienate an ally whose support we'll surely need in dealing with the country with which there are real trade issues - namely, China.
3. The Left is going to have a hoot over the glaring blurt of historical ignorance for years to come.

Look, LITD has no special regard for Trudeau. He's a lefty with goofy views on any number of issues. He himself - along with his family - made an extended faux pas out of the recent India visit, going around that country in hokey get-ups intended to patronize their hosts.

But this is trade. Since a lot of people - maybe you and me - see the national-security claim as a ruse, if the VSG really thinks it's an important reason for tariffs, he owed Trudeau the courtesy of a serious explanation.

It's going to be interesting to see the slavish devotees spin this one, which they will.