"Culturally there are different norms that each country and their leaders are expected to follow." On the face of it, this is shocking, disturbing, and disgust

"Culturally there are different norms that each country and their leaders are expected to follow." On the face of it, this is shocking, disturbing, and disgusting. But I'm not prepared to pass judgment. Did he simply misspeak? Was there any clarification after the fact? Has the press followed up on this?