Paris: "Battle of handshake": the American president, known for his aggressive handshakes, has he now found his master at Emmanuel Macron?

from SK

Donald Trump is known for his aggressive handshake, the British Guardian newspaper once wrote about the US president's "battle for handshake". In France, President Emmanuel Macron Trump could have found his master. Meeting with Trump at Elylys Palace on Saturday, the Frenchman literally crushed the hand of his overseas visitor, as shown in the photo. Ironically, Macron's fingers grab Trump's right hand, the skin wrinkles under pressure. Trump's fingers spread as if he wanted to let go.

Six seconds shaking hands? Only the beginning.

This is not the first "handshake battle" between the two presidents – nor the first point for Macron in this unofficial domination contest. At the G7 summit in Canada last June, Macron shook Trump's hand so that the French left a white thumbprint on the American's hand. And already at the first meeting of the two presidents in May 2017 in Brussels, the spectacular handshakes were the subject.

The Washington Post wrote, "The two men shook hands for six long seconds, their joints turned white, their jaws clenched and their faces contracted.Trump attacked first, but then tried to let go. taken twice. "The French had stood firm and reported that the American was not the only Alpha man in the room. The Guardian has declared Macron the winner of this "handshake battle".

Six seconds shaking hands? It was only the beginning. When Macron Trump arrived in Paris in July 2017, the men shook hands for nearly 30 seconds while they were walking with their wives on the Champs-Elysees. The American channel CNN examined the handshake at a second badysis and saw the benefit of Macron, Trump. Macron even shook hands with Trump, who greeted Brigitte Macron with kisses and shook her hand – the one on the left was necessarily held, that of the host finally stopped. "Triple handshake," commented CNN. "Sacred straw bag."

A new form of "body politics"

In April of this year, Macron was visiting the state at the White House. A kiss on the cheek was followed by a handshake estimated by the American broadcaster NBC at about five seconds (no winner was called). The two men kissed each other, patted their backs and held hands. "There was so much to touch," the Washington Post wondered. NBC saw a new form of "body politics" and certified the US president: "Trump gives diplomacy with Macron a personal" touch. "

Also Saturday, Macron grabbed Trump at the knee and elbow. As physically as in April, the meeting was far from over. Perhaps Macron was irritated by a Tweet Trumps, Americans criticized his host shortly after his arrival in Paris. The relationship should also have calmed down because of Trump's ongoing attacks on the EU. It is also likely that Macron was reluctant that Trump wanted to return home on Sunday afternoon instead of attending the Macron Peace Summit.

Trump's mood also seemed moderate. He had acted "almost grumpy" while Macron had tried to drown the growing tension, ruled the "Washington Post". "When Macron tried to caress Trump's thigh, he ignored it and did not recognize either touching it or rendering it." The New York Times wrote: "That's for the sake of virile friendship."

For Chancellor Angela Merkel Trump, the relationship was always cool. When Merkel was at the White House last March, he made a gesture of salvation. In the oval office, the angry American president ignored the photographers' requests to shake hands with Angela Merkel for cameras. He did not even respond to the Chancellor when she asked him: "Do you want a handshake?"

Small revenge for the overwhelming French hand

At the celebrations in Paris, however, Merkel also received her dose of body contact – from Macron. At the commemorative ceremony on the Sunday Triumphal Arch, the host put his right hand on the left knee of the Chancellor, as can be seen in the pictures. On the other side of Merkel, sitting Trump, he did not seem to be in a good mood. In another picture, you can see how the left Frenchman touched Merkel's left thigh. Merkel looks at the presidential hand – and smiles.

The Americans had at least a little revenge for the French hand that crashed on Saturday at the Elysee, although this is certainly not the intention: the armored car of the Trump company was so much unfortunate in front of the seat of Macrons that the vehicle exhaust gases were projected into the entrance. The place located directly in front of the stairs of the entrance is not a parking lot, not even for the cars of the guests of the state. The staff at the Elysees Palace finally closed the door.