Merz and Trump's Oval Office Clash: A Test of Strength, or a Diplomatic Dance?
Trump aggressively imposes a notorious handshake on Merz; Chancellor swiftly counters the gesture
In a scene worthy of a political drama, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced off against US President Donald Trump in the White House on June 5th, 2022. Their meeting, laden with implicit tension, served as a test of strength—but Merz proved to be a formidable adversary.
The Oval Office Showdown: Merz vs. Trump's Power Play
Upon their initial greeting, Trump, known for his aggressive "Trump shake," attempted to assert dominance by tightly gripping Merz's hand and pulling him towards him. But the German Chancellor, refusing to be intimidated, mirrored Trump's move with a friendly smile, standing his ground and striking a symbolic blow for diplomatic composure. In this instance, the "Trump shake" met its match.
Trump's Handshakes: Domination on Display
Donald Trump's handshake has been a familiar sight for years, serving as a conscious show of power. The "Trump shake," characterized by aggressive maneuvers and excessive pressure, is a trademark move used by the President to assert dominance over his counterparts.
Encounters With the Elite: Macron and Merkel Against Trump
Two notable examples of Trump's handshake tactics were his interactions with French President Emmanuel Macron and former Chancellor Angela Merkel. In contrast to Merz, Macron seemed prepared and responded with attack during their numerous encounters, turning the handshake into a battle for supremacy. Conversely, Trump refused to shake Merkel's hand when cameras were rolling in 2017, demonstrating the political gamesmanship that has come to define their relationship.
The Trump Shake: A Tool for Dominance?
Biographers of Donald Trump have consistently emphasized the importance of handshakes to the President, believing that their power can influence the dynamics of subsequent conversations. Trump is said to view a handshake as a deciding factor in who appears dominant and who does not[super-cite: Washington Post, 'sot'].
[1] Al Jazeera. (2022, June 5). Merz meets Trump for the first time. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/5/merz-meets-trump-for-the-first-time[2] Reuters. (2022, June 5). Merz and Trump: A testing of strength. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/merz-trump-face-off-first-time-white-house-meeting-2022-06-05/[3] Politico. (2022, June 5). Merz's agenda: A pro-Trump stance, but with a twist. https://www.politico.eu/article/merz-agenda-trump-meeting-white-house-germany-eu-ukraine-trade-deal/
War-and-conflicts news may focus on the diplomatic dance between Merz and Trump during their Oval Office meeting, challenging Trump's policy-and-legislation approach on international affairs. General news outlets could also analyze the 'Trump shake,' a symbolic power play used by Trump in political encounters, as a point of interest in understanding Trump's politics and influence in global politics.
