Donald Trump refuses to shake Angela Merkel's hand

The American president is not a gentleman
Donald Trump refuses to shake
Angela Merkel's hand (very rude)
Donald Trump refused to shake hands with Angela Merkel as a
first meeting between the two leaders, which was postponed
from Tuesday because of snow, got off to a distinctly frosty
start.
The German chancellor and US president posed for the press
in the Oval Office, and photographers could be heard calling for
the two to shake hands. Mrs Merkel turned and smiled at her
host, asking him: "Do you want to have a handshake?"
But Mr Trump, who had appeared to hold hands with Theresa
May, the Prime Minister, when they walked together during her
White House visit in January, looked down at the floor and
avoided all eye-contact with his guest (like a baby).

Mrs Merkel grimaced slightly but soon brushed off the awkward
incident and began the task of attempting to build a new
transatlantic partnership, quipping in their later press
conference that the two leaders "will work together hand in
hand".
The US president reassured her that his administration would
"respect historic institutions", amid fears in Europe that he could
scale back US military support for Nato, but insisted that allies
"must pay what they owe".
"I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for Nato as
well as the need for our Nato allies to pay their fair share for the
cost of defence," he said.
She responded by saying that Germany needed to meet Nato
spending goals.

In what is expected to be a tense summit, Mr Trump will also
discuss the transatlantic partnership and the migration crisis.
The two agreed on the need for cooperating in the fight against
Islamic State terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Lybia and the peace
process in Ukraine.
Mrs Merkel stressed the importance of improving relations with
Russia and Mr Trump was thought to have sought ideas from
her on how to deal with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.
She also delivered a staunch defence of globalisation, and said
she hoped the US and the EU could resume discussions on a
trade agreement.
Angela Merkel and Ivanka Trump CREDIT: REUTERS

For his part, Mr Trump rejected accusations his "America First"
agenda was isolationist and said he was only attempting to
improve trade deals to protect US interests rather than pull back
from the world entirely.
The question about his supposed isolationism clearly angered
him, as he shot back at the reporter: "I don't know what
newspaper you're reading, but I guess that would be an
example of fake news.”00:48
Mr Trump says his White House should not be blamed for
quoting a Fox News analyst who accused British intelligence of
helping former President Barack Obama spy on him.
There is no evidence such spying took place and GCHQ, the
British electronic intelligence agency, has called the allegation
"utterly ridiculous."
"We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented
legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on
television," he said.
"You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."
He also doubled down on his unproven wiretapping allegation
with a reference to 2013 reports that the US listened in on Mrs
Merkel's phone calls.
He says that when it comes to wiretapping, "At least we have
something in common, perhaps."

Ivanka Trump and Angela Merkel CREDIT: EPA
Attempting to strike a positive tone, Mrs Merkel said it had been
"much better to talk to one another than about one another".
The visit represented an opportunity for the two leaders to reset
their early relationship.
On the campaign trail, Mr Trump called Mrs Merkel's
migration policy "catastrophic", saying she "should be
ashamed of herself" for "ruining" Germany. He lashed out
at Time magazine when it named Mrs Merkel Person of the
Year in 2015 instead of him.
She has been a strident critic of his Muslim travel ban and plan
to build a border wall with Mexico and took it upon herself to
explain the Geneva Convention to him.

The German chancellor enjoyed a warm friendship with Barack
Obama and was his closest global partner. She had also
worked well with George W Bush before him.
Mrs Merkel had prepared carefully for the meeting, watching Mr
Trump's speeches, speaking to people who have met him and
even studying a 1990 Playboy interview with the New York
billionaire.
The visit was a tightrope walk for the German chancellor
between building an effective partnership built on strong
economic and security cooperation - especially in the context
of Russia's new-found bullishness - and representing her
values and those of the German people.

She is in a battle to win re-election for a fourth term later this
year in Germany, where Mr Trump's historically low popularity
ratings are on a par with Vladimir Putin.
6:35pm
Trump says Fox News wiretap claim came from
'talented legal mind'
Mr Trump is asked about the wiretapping accusations against
British intelligence services.
"Very seldom, very seldom...probably wouldn't be here right
now," he says, when asked if he ever rejects his tweets. There's
widespread laughter as he says this.
Mr Trump goes on to say that he did not make any wiretapping
claims against Britain, but that "a very talented legal mind on
Fox" made those claims, and that he merely quoted this
analyst.
He says questions on the issue should be put to that analyst -
Andrew Napolitano - not him.
6:33pm
Merkel rejects idea that trade deals with Asia make
workers worse off
Mr Trump is asked how he plans to make new trade deals.
"Negotiators for Germany have done a far better job than the
United States. I give them credit for it. But...you look at China,
virtually any country we do business with, it's not exactly good
for our workers. Look at Nafta - that's been a disaster for
workers."

Mrs Merkel takes the same question, and disagrees - she says
that the German industry has concluded that, "actually, trade
deals...with South Korea have brought us more jobs."
"We have benefited. That is the spirit which should be guiding
these agreements."
6:29pm
Trump and Merkel clash gently
Mrs Merkel says she has not had time to discuss economic
policy in detail yet.
On the impact of migration on the economy, she says it "has to
be worked on, traffickers must be stopped," but that they must
also look at welfare for refugees.
Mr Trump adds he has "many jobs coming back to Michigan,
Ohio, places where they were losing jobs.
"But it's going to be a great policy for the United States, and
worldwide."
Neither is taking the bait on questions that are repeatedly
drawing attention to their numerous clashes over the past year.
6:26pm
"I am not an isolationist - that's fake news"
Some tougher questions now - Mr Trump is asked if his
isolationist economic policy is damaging to America and to
Europe.
"I don't believe in an isolationist policy, but the US has been
treated very, very unfairly and that has got to stop," says Mr
Trump.
He says the idea he is isolationist is "fake news."

6:23pm
Trump: "New healthcare plan coming along
beautifully'
Now over to the floor for questions, the first one about
healthcare, for Mr Trump.
He says the new healthcare plan is coming along "beautifully"
and repeats claim that Obamacare was "failing miserably."
"Obamacare will fail, it will fold, it will close up very, very soon
if something isn't done," he adds.
Mrs Merkel is then asked about her impression of the
president.
She says that the president stands up for American interests
and says she was gratified by the warm hospitality she has
received.
"We are trying to address the areas where we disagree....and
find a compromise. We need to be fair with each other."
6:17pm
Merkel: Better to talk to each other, not about each
other
Mrs Merkel's turn now.
She begins: "It is much better to talk to one another, not about
one another. We talked about the international situation, we
discussed the shared interests that we have. "
That is no doubt a pointed references to her clashes with Mr
Trump over her migration policy, and his travel ban.

6:13pm
Trump says "very unfair" that Nato allies do not pay
their share
"I thanked the Chancellor for her commitment to spending two
per cent of GDP [on Nato]," he continues.
He says that he fully supports Nato - something Mr Trump has
had to stress several times, having rattled Western allies on the
campaign trail with his claim that Nato was "obsolete"
6:12pm
Trump: US and Germany must harness power of
women in economy
"It's a great honour to welcome you to the White House," begins
Mr Trump, underlining their shared desire for security and
peace.
He says the meeting they just had was "productive," and
discussed workforce development and vocational training.
He adds that it is "crucial" that American workers are given a
great employment outlook, and that this requires harnessing
the "power of women" in the economy.
6:05pm
Press conference 45mins late
It has now been 45 minutes since this conference was
supposed to start - this meeting does not appear to be going
smoothly.

5:03pm
Merkel handshake no. 2 snubbed? :17
They seemed to be getting on fine earlier, enjoying a warm
handshake at the White House entrance - but this press pool
footage suggests Mrs Merkel and Mr Trump have already got
off on the wrong foot.
A photographer can be heard asking the pair to shake hands
several times in the footage - but neither of them move a
muscle.
Mrs Merkel then asks Mr Trump a question, which is almost
inaudible. Still no handshake.
This is unusual - both Shinzo Abe and Justin Trudeau posed
for a handshake in Oval Office.


4:58pm
Trump wants to find out how to deal with Putin
White House officials have suggested that Mr Trump is very
curious to know how to tackle Vladimir Putin, the Russian
president.
"The president will be very interested in hearing the chancellor's
views on her experience interacting with Putin," a senior
administration official told reporters.
4:49pm
Merkel and Trump take to Oval Office
Asked how their initial talks went, Mr Trump replied "great,"
adding that "many, many things" were discussed. Mrs Merkel
told German reports she was glad to have had the opportunity
to meet with Mr Trump.
So far, so good - but they will shorty be holding a joint press
conference, at 17.20, where the questions to put to them are
going to be a little bit trickier than this.

Donald Trump looks down at his hands during his meeting with
Mrs Merkel
4:40pm
The handshake: Merkel 'deferential,' Trump 'taking
power'
Donald Trump's handshakes are the stuff of legend - he almost
tore the arm off Japanese leader Shinzo Abe when he came to
Washington in February.
Meanwhile Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, was
hailed as making the biggest "gesture of dominance in
Canadian history" when he gave Mr Trump a
confrontational, robust handshake during his state visit.

Theresa May went further than a handshake - she was
photographed holding hands with the president.
But a body language expert told the Telegraph Mr Trump that
in the case of Mrs Merkel, he came out on top.
President Donald Trump greets German Chancellor Angela
Merkel outside the West Wing of the White House in
Washington
"He's taking the more powerful position by standing in the left
side of the photo (from viewers point of view) showing more of
his hand and pulling her into his space," said Elizabeth Kuhnke,
the author of Body Language: Learn How to Read Others and
Communicate with Confidence

"In addition, by putting his left hand on her right arm, he's
demonstrating power and authority over her.
"He's looking down at her while she is almost in a curtsying
position. His mouth is in a tight closed smile indicating that he's
holding back his emotions. Her smile is tentative. With her
shoulders hunched she looks deferential. Her left hand is
hanging by her side, in a lifeless position.
"He is controlling this photo op, using both of his hands to
reduce her power."
Donald Trump refuses to shake
Angela Merkel's hand as key
meeting gets off to frosty start



Watch | Donald Trump refuses Angela Merkel handshake
invitation
00:17
00:1300:17
m
 James Rothwell
 Barney Henderson, NEW YORK
17 MARCH 2017 • 6:49PM
Donald Trump refused to shake hands with Angela Merkel as a
first meeting between the two leaders, which was postponed

from Tuesday because of snow, got off to a distinctly frosty
start.
The German chancellor and US president posed for the press
in the Oval Office, and photographers could be heard calling for
the two to shake hands. Mrs Merkel turned and smiled at her
host, asking him: "Do you want to have a handshake?"
But Mr Trump, who had appeared to hold hands with Theresa
May, the Prime Minister, when they walked together during her
White House visit in January, looked down at the floor and
avoided all eye-contact with his guest.
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Watch | Angela Merkel arrives at the White House
00:41
Mrs Merkel grimaced slightly but soon brushed off the awkward
incident and began the task of attempting to build a new
transatlantic partnership, quipping in their later press
conference that the two leaders "will work together hand in
hand".

The US president reassured her that his administration would
"respect historic institutions", amid fears in Europe that he could
scale back US military support for Nato, but insisted that allies
"must pay what they owe".
"I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for Nato as
well as the need for our Nato allies to pay their fair share for the
cost of defence," he said.
She responded by saying that Germany needed to meet Nato
spending goals.
In what is expected to be a tense summit, Mr Trump will also
discuss the transatlantic partnership and the migration crisis.
The two agreed on the need for cooperating in the fight against
Islamic State terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Lybia and the peace
process in Ukraine.

Mrs Merkel stressed the importance of improving relations with
Russia and Mr Trump was thought to have sought ideas from
her on how to deal with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.
She also delivered a staunch defence of globalisation, and said
she hoped the US and the EU could resume discussions on a
trade agreement.
Angela Merkel and Ivanka Trump CREDIT: REUTERS
For his part, Mr Trump rejected accusations his "America First"
agenda was isolationist and said he was only attempting to
improve trade deals to protect US interests rather than pull back
from the world entirely.
The question about his supposed isolationism clearly angered
him, as he shot back at the reporter: "I don't know what

newspaper you're reading, but I guess that would be an
example of fake news."
Watch | Trump: 'We said nothing' about wiretapping claims
against Britain
00:48
Mr Trump says his White House should not be blamed for
quoting a Fox News analyst who accused British intelligence of
helping former President Barack Obama spy on him.
There is no evidence such spying took place and GCHQ, the
British electronic intelligence agency, has called the allegation
"utterly ridiculous."
"We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented
legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on
television," he said.
"You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."
He also doubled down on his unproven wiretapping allegation
with a reference to 2013 reports that the US listened in on Mrs
Merkel's phone calls.
He says that when it comes to wiretapping, "At least we have
something in common, perhaps."

Ivanka Trump and Angela Merkel CREDIT: EPA
Attempting to strike a positive tone, Mrs Merkel said it had been
"much better to talk to one another than about one another".
The visit represented an opportunity for the two leaders to reset
their early relationship.
On the campaign trail, Mr Trump called Mrs Merkel's migration
policy "catastrophic", saying she "should be ashamed of
herself" for "ruining" Germany. He lashed out at Time magazine
when it named Mrs Merkel Person of the Year in 2015 instead
of him.
She has been a strident critic of his Muslim travel ban and plan
to build a border wall with Mexico and took it upon herself to
explain the Geneva Convention to him.

The German chancellor enjoyed a warm friendship with Barack
Obama and was his closest global partner. She had also
worked well with George W Bush before him.
Angela Merkel and Donald Trump CREDIT: AFP
Mrs Merkel had prepared carefully for the meeting, watching Mr
Trump's speeches, speaking to people who have met him and
even studying a 1990 Playboy interview with the New York
billionaire.
The visit was a tightrope walk for the German chancellor
between building an effective partnership built on strong
economic and security cooperation - especially in the context
of Russia's new-found bullishness - and representing her
values and those of the German people.

6:23pm
Trump: "New healthcare plan coming along
beautifully'
Now over to the floor for questions, the first one about
healthcare, for Mr Trump.
He says the new healthcare plan is coming along "beautifully"
and repeats claim that Obamacare was "failing miserably."
"Obamacare will fail, it will fold, it will close up very, very soon
if something isn't done," he adds.
Mrs Merkel is then asked about her impression of the
president.
She says that the president stands up for American interests
and says she was gratified by the warm hospitality she has
received.
"We are trying to address the areas where we disagree....and
find a compromise. We need to be fair with each other."
6:17pm
Merkel: Better to talk to each other, not about each
other
Mrs Merkel's turn now.
She begins: "It is much better to talk to one another, not about
one another. We talked about the international situation, we
discussed the shared interests that we have. "
That is no doubt a pointed references to her clashes with Mr
Trump over her migration policy, and his travel ban.
6:13pm

Trump says "very unfair" that Nato allies do not pay
their share
Watch | President Trump praises Angela Merkel for vowing to
increase Nato spending
00:36
"I thanked the Chancellor for her commitment to spending two
per cent of GDP [on Nato]," he continues.
He says that he fully supports Nato - something Mr Trump has
had to stress several times, having rattled Western allies on the
campaign trail with his claim that Nato was "obsolete"
6:12pm
Trump: US and Germany must harness power of
women in economy
"It's a great honour to welcome you to the White House," begins
Mr Trump, underlining their shared desire for security and
peace.
He says the meeting they just had was "productive," and
discussed workforce development and vocational training.
He adds that it is "crucial" that American workers are given a
great employment outlook, and that this requires harnessing
the "power of women" in the economy.
6:05pm
Press conference 45mins late
It has now been 45 minutes since this conference was
supposed to start - this meeting does not appear to be going
smoothly.
5:03pm
Merkel handshake no. 2 snubbed?

Watch | Donald Trump refuses Angela Merkel handshake
invitation
00:17
They seemed to be getting on fine earlier, enjoying a warm
handshake at the White House entrance - but this press pool
footage suggests Mrs Merkel and Mr Trump have already got
off on the wrong foot.
A photographer can be heard asking the pair to shake hands
several times in the footage - but neither of them move a
muscle.
Mrs Merkel then asks Mr Trump a question, which is almost
inaudible. Still no handshake.
This is unusual - both Shinzo Abe and Justin Trudeau posed
for a handshake in Oval Office.
22h
David Mack
https://twitter.com/steph_march/status/842774205733244928 …
Follow
David Mack
Photographers: Can we get a handshake?
Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake?
Trump: *no response*
Merkel: *makes awkward face* pic.twitter.com/ehgpCnWPg7
10:33 AM - 17 Mar 2017



22,32422,324 Retweets

25,74025,740 likes
4:58pm
Trump wants to find out how to deal with Putin
White House officials have suggested that Mr Trump is very
curious to know how to tackle Vladimir Putin, the Russian
president.

"The president will be very interested in hearing the chancellor's
views on her experience interacting with Putin," a senior
administration official told reporters.
4:49pm
Merkel and Trump take to Oval Office
Asked how their initial talks went, Mr Trump replied "great,"
adding that "many, many things" were discussed. Mrs Merkel
told German reports she was glad to have had the opportunity
to meet with Mr Trump.
So far, so good - but they will shorty be holding a joint press
conference, at 17.20, where the questions to put to them are
going to be a little bit trickier than this.
Donald Trump looks down at his hands during his meeting with
Mrs Merkel

4:40pm
The handshake: Merkel 'deferential,' Trump 'taking
power'
Donald Trump's handshakes are the stuff of legend - he almost
tore the arm off Japanese leader Shinzo Abe when he came to
Washington in February.
Meanwhile Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, was
hailed as making the biggest "gesture of dominance in
Canadian history" when he gave Mr Trump a
confrontational, robust handshake during his state visit.
Theresa May went further than a handshake - she was
photographed holding hands with the president.
But a body language expert told the Telegraph Mr Trump that
in the case of Mrs Merkel, he came out on top.

President Donald Trump greets German Chancellor Angela
Merkel outside the West Wing of the White House in
Washington
"He's taking the more powerful position by standing in the left
side of the photo (from viewers point of view) showing more of
his hand and pulling her into his space," said Elizabeth Kuhnke,
the author of Body Language: Learn How to Read Others and
Communicate with Confidence
"In addition, by putting his left hand on her right arm, he's
demonstrating power and authority over her.
"He's looking down at her while she is almost in a curtsying
position. His mouth is in a tight closed smile indicating that he's
holding back his emotions. Her smile is tentative. With her
shoulders hunched she looks deferential. Her left hand is
hanging by her side, in a lifeless position.

"He is controlling this photo op, using both of his hands to
reduce her power."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/17/donald-trump-
meet-angela-merkel-white-house-make-break-meeting/

Donald Trump refuses to shake Angela Merkel's hand

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