During the G7 summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France, President Donald Trump greeted France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, with one of his characteristic long and firm handshakes. This event marked a notable interaction between Trump and the French first lady, against the backdrop of his complex relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Trump and Emmanuel Macron have a known history of intense, competitive handshakes. Their first encounter in 2017 set the stage for what became a recurring diplomatic spectacle, highlighted by a white-knuckled handshake in Brussels.
Despite periods of warmth symbolized by events like the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, the relationship between Trump and Macron has also been marked by tension, particularly towards the end of Trump’s first term. Differences surfaced over issues like tariffs and international conflicts, such as those involving Ukraine and Iran.
“I called up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly,” Trump remarked disparagingly at a private event, referencing a viral moment involving Brigitte Macron.
Observers described the handshake shared with Brigitte Macron as resembling previous “tug-of-war” styles associated with Trump’s diplomatic gestures. This interaction adds another chapter to the saga of Trump-Macron handshakes.
G7 Summit Attendees and Purpose
At the summit, leaders of the G7 nations convened, including Emmanuel Macron (France), Donald Trump (USA), and leaders from other member countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan. The G7 aims to coordinate policy among the world’s leading democratic economies, focusing on global economic stability, international security challenges, and cooperative discussions on climate, trade, and development issues.
Though not a treaty-based organization, the G7 serves as a significant forum for consensus-building on major global issues. Analysts anticipated that the dynamics between Trump and Macron, alongside Trump’s broader interactions with U.S. allies, could influence discussions during this summit.