US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron were involved in a seemingly confrontational handshake at a significant political gathering in Egypt. The two leaders’ relationship has been tumultuous, fluctuating between moments of friendship and contentious encounters. The recent incident occurred as Macron, along with other nations, acknowledged Palestinian statehood, a move Trump criticized as a response to Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023.
During the signing ceremony in Sharm El Sheikh on Monday, Trump and Macron engaged in a prolonged handshake, seemingly competing for dominance in a public photo opportunity. Lip reader Nicola Hickling noted that there were subtle exchanges of warnings and accusations between the two before they decided to continue their discussion in private.
Trump greeted Macron on stage, questioning their agreement, to which Macron responded affirmatively. Trump then expressed his desire to understand the reasons behind their disagreement, hinting at feeling hurt and emphasizing his pursuit of peace. Macron, in response, requested to address the issue in private, suggesting resolving matters away from the public eye.
The tense exchange between Trump and Macron took place at a summit hosted by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, aiming to promote peace in the Gaza Strip and enhance stability in the Middle East. Hickling highlighted the handshake as a display of diplomatic power dynamics, with Trump exerting physical dominance through the handshake.
Despite verbal assurances of peace from Trump, his non-verbal cues, such as maintaining a firm grip, indicated a different narrative. The disagreement between the two leaders followed a previous dispute regarding the recognition of Palestinian statehood, with Trump criticizing France’s stance on the matter. Macron countered Trump’s arguments by emphasizing the need for a different approach to address conflicts in the region.
Macron underscored the role of the US president in resolving the Gaza conflict, pointing out the US’s involvement in supplying weapons that perpetuate the war in Gaza. The ongoing disagreement reflects differing perspectives on international relations and conflict resolution strategies between the two leaders.
The incident highlighted the complexities of international diplomacy and power dynamics, showcasing how public gestures and interactions can convey underlying tensions and disagreements between world leaders.