French President Emmanuel Macron has described his intensely awkward handshake with Donald Trump as a deliberate act, calling it a “moment of truth”. The encounter, which took place in Brussels before a Nato summit, saw both leaders grip each other’s hands so firmly that their knuckles turned white.
Speaking to the Journal du Dimanche, Mr Macron said his approach was about showing that he would not make small concessions, “not even symbolic ones”, but also would not overdo things. He added that he had wanted to demonstrate his determination to gain respect in bilateral dealings.
“Donald Trump, the Turkish president or the Russian president see things in terms of power relationships, which doesn't bother me,” Mr Macron said. “I don't believe in diplomacy through public criticism but in my bilateral dialogues I don't let anything pass. That is how you get respect.”
The handshake lasted several seconds, with both men staring fixedly at each other until the US president attempted to disengage. Mr Trump’s physical contact with foreign leaders has drawn scrutiny since he took office. He has previously held the hand of UK Prime Minister Theresa May, yanked Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe towards him, and appeared to ignore an outstretched hand from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
