Macron unshaken by Trump power grip

Macron held on tight to Trump's notorious power grip as the two men sat next to each other

French President Emmanuel Macron (3rd R) shakes hand with US President Donald Trump (2nd L) as (first row, From L) King Philippe - Filip of Belgium, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel look on, during the unveiling ceremony of the Berlin Wall monument, during the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit at the NATO headquarters, in Brussels. PHOTO: AFP

BRUSSELS:
Diplomacy can be a white-knuckle ride at times, but French President Emmanuel Macron refused to be shaken when he found himself in an unexpected standoff with US counterpart Donald Trump Thursday.

Trump shoves fellow NATO leader aside on his first summit

Former reality TV star Trump is known to make visitors flinch with a strong handshake that he often combines with a wrench of the arm to leave his victim off balance. But Macron, France's 39-year-old political wunderkind, appeared to be ready for him when they met for lunch at the US embassy in Brussels ahead of a NATO summit.



As the world cameras watched, Macron held on tight to Trump's notorious power grip as the two men sat next to each other, the Frenchman's mouth clenched and eyes firmly fixed at the tycoon's squinted stare. Their knuckles then appeared to turn white with their jaws clenching and faces tightening.

A combination photo shows US President Donald Trump (L) trying twice to let go of a handshake with France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) as Macron holds tight, before a working lunch ahead of a NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS


The moment - finally - broke off, and the men left the scene to enjoy a quick meal of veal fillet with Belgian chocolate mousse for dessert.
But the two presidents were not finished. Later at NATO headquarters Macron was the last to turn up for the opening of the alliance's new headquarters and found himself again shaking hands.




Cue laughs from leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg as Macron found his arm wrenched about by a smiling Trump.

US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron (R) as they attend the unveiling ceremony of the new NATO headquarters in Brussels, on May 25, 2017, during a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit. PHOTO: AFP


It is not the first time Trump has caught the world's attention with his macho man grip. His handshake style came under media scrutiny after a meetings with the Japanese and Canadian leaders.

Trump refuses to shake Merkel's hand

Thursday's family portrait at NATO was also notable for Trump apparently pushing aside the prime minister of Montenegro, Dusko Markovic, in order to get in the front row.

Among Trump's critics was British author JK Rowling - the creator of Harry Potter. "You tiny, tiny, tiny little man," she tweeted, providing a GIF of the incident.

Montenegro will formally become NATO's 29th member on June 5, the alliance announced on Thursday, amid bitter Russian opposition to the move.

 
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