Angela Merkel’s G7 pic with Trump has gone viral

Of the hundreds of images taken at the Group of Seven summit in Quebec City this weekend, the one released by the office Angela Merkel appears to sum up Donald Trump’s entire trip.

The image depicts the German Chancellor in an assertive pose, planting both hands firmly on a table as she addresses the US President, who is seated before her with his arms defensively crossed wearing an emotionless expression.

The description attached by Merkel’s office reads: “Day two of the G7 summit in Canada: spontaneous meeting between two working sessions.”

Beside Trump is his national security adviser, John Bolton, apparently speaking above the locked eyes of the US and German leaders. A seemingly unimpressed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears to be well and truly over it as he gazes at the group. The fascinating image wasn’t the only awkward photo to emerge from the summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron left a firm impression on Trump in their latest hand-squeezing contest of the two alpa males.

Photos that have gone viral show how Macron turned part of Trump’s hand pale with a blood-squeezing grip when they met on the sidelines of the summit.

Although Macron was given the honour of the first state visit of the Trump era in April, one of the most enduring images of the trip was when Trump brushed some flecks of dandruff off the Frenchman’s jacket in the White House.

The two men also traded jibes on Twitter in the build-up to the summit in Canada, which has been soured by Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium exports from the European Union. Despite their differences, the two men seem at least to enjoy a mutual respect.

“We have a very really good relationship, very special,” Trump told reporters after Friday’s handshake.

AP