Paris: France’s new President Emmanuel Macron says he was ready for his “moment of truth” with US counterpart Donald Trump — when they shook hands for the first time.
“You have to show you won’t make little concessions, even symbolic ones,” Mr Macron, 39, told the French weekly Journal du Dimanche.
Footage of the handshake as the pair met for lunch at the US embassy in Brussels ahead of a Nato summit on Thursday has gone viral.
As cameras rolled, Mr Macron held on tight to Mr Trump’s notorious power grip as the two sat next to each other, the Frenchman’s mouth clenched and eyes firmly fixed at the 70-year-old tycoon’s squinty stare. After some five seconds, Mr Trump was the first to open his hand but Mr Macron insisted on being the last to let go.
“It’s not the be-all-and-end-all... but a moment of truth,” Mr Macron said. “I don’t miss a thing, that’s how you get respect.”
The French leader had another chance later in the day to be his own man, making a beeline for German Chancellor Angela Merkel to embrace her before turning to greet Trump — who smilingly pumped and wrenched Mr Macron’s arm.
