Decoding Trump-Kim’s Body Language

Snigdha Raju

As the summit in Singapore’s Sentosa was going on, people and body language experts across the globe watched on, analyzing, interpreting and decoding every move of Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.

On the surface, both the leaders seemed to have proved to be equals. Trump initiated most of the handshakes and slipped in a lot of power touches; which to Western body language experts, may seem to exude dominance; but in Asian cultures, showing restraint is said to be more domineering.

Both the leaders entered the room through different doors at the same time so if one leader arrives early, he wouldn’t be kept waiting. In the most anticipated handshake, Trump held out his hand first. He also held his upper arm which signifies the exertion of dominance in politics.

Kim Jong Un has initiated far less handshakes and touches but Korean body language experts say that it is uncommon to voluntarily touch an elder person in Korean culture.

Donald Trump was "desperate to be seen to be in charge" as he met Kim Jong Un in Singapore, according to a body language expert.

After the handshake, Trump is seen leading the way for Kim, assuming the position of a host.

If one didn’t know the stature they both hold, it would seem as if Trump were Kim’s dad taking care of him.

On the other hand, Trump and Kim, as body language say, hit it off pretty well; even within the first 4 seconds. Throughout the summit, they were seen mirroring their gestures, which is a sign of them liking each other.

Some also say that Trump desperately tried to show that he was in control through shoulder pats but Kim was unresponsive and proved that he was in control of the situation without having to really show it.