Leaders from both economies had been trying to negotiate more favorable terms, only to have those efforts blown up by form letters.

© Ingmar Nolting for The New York Times

Blunt letters dictating terms posted to social media and changes late in negotiations have left trading partners wondering what President Trump will do next.

© Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times

The European Union is still hoping for a rough outline of a deal, even after President Trump talked about sending the bloc a letter outlining tariffs that would be imposed Aug. 1.

© Bart Biesemans/Reuters