Body language expert explains what was really going on during Trump and Macron's tense 'arm-wrestle'

A body language expert has explained just what was going on during Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron’s tense ‘arm-wrestle’.

The pair of presidents shared a bizarre handshake for nearly half a minute yesterday (13 October) and not for the first time.

Global leaders met for a summit in Egypt to discuss the future of Gaza with Trump and Macron having clashed over Palestine in the past. There have long been tensions between the US president and French president, and their roughly 26-second-long handshake in front of the cameras seemed to spotlight this hostility.

A lip reader has already suggested it was full of subtle threats and remarks, and now, a body language expert has broken down their changes of grip and moments of, well, pretty much just holding hands.

The pair shook hands for nearly half a minute. (YOAN VALAT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking on behalf of Press Box PR, body language expert Inbaal Honigman has told LADbible that Trump greeted Macron with a ‘firm and stiff’ hand.

While this suggested the ‘US is there to take charge’, things were different for the Frenchman: “Macron's [hand] is gentle and loose when their palms meet, showing that France is entering the summit with an agenda of listening and accepting.”

At first, it didn’t seem like too much of a wrestle for dominance as Honigman explained: “The initial handshake is accompanied with mirrored back-slaps, eye contact and verbal greetings from both leaders, which conveys a certain amount of balance. Shortly after, however, Marcon lowers his head, while Trump ends the back-slap suddenly, turning his hand into a fist, turning his face to the side and biting his lower lip, all signs of aggression.”

However, a tussle began between them as they gripped their hands together.

“Macron's palm covers Trump's, which shows that Trump is taking the lower position, letting Macron dominate this move. Trump's severe facial expression, with his eyebrows lowered and the corners of his lips turned downwards, show that he's unimpressed,” the expert said.

The expert says they were battling for dominance. (YOAN VALAT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump then ‘instigates’ a ‘arm-wrestle handshake’ to apparently try and win back the dominance as Macron attempts and fails to appease him.

“He takes control further by pointing at the press photographers, commanding Macron to face the cameras. In this hand position, Trump's hand is on top, showing that he's regained full control over this interaction,” Honigman continued.

With ‘no choice’, Macron has to agree to do so and ends up looking ‘defensive’ while Trump has ‘the air of coverage’.

“As Macron attempts to disengage from Trump's powerful grip, he steps away, and places his hand on Trump's arm in a soothing way. Overall, Trump views this as an opportunity to assert dominance, and Macron tries to give off the impression that he sees it as a little silly game,” she explains as their lengthy handshake finally comes to an end.

“But Macron's smiles and light approach can't hide the fact that he's a little dismayed in front of such a large crowd."