The Queen and Martin McGuinness, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, Paul Hollywood and the various contestants of the Bake-Off. Some handshakes resonate through the annals of history. Anticipation hung in the air yesterday afternoon as we awaited Sir Keir Starmer to extend his hand towards the man who holds the future of Europe within his grasp. The Prime Minister had a tall order to fulfill—quite literally. Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron eagerly shook hands with Trump, who responded with a reciprocal enthusiasm. There were moments of playful interaction, and at one point, it seemed a lighthearted thumb war might ensue.
The question lingered: Could the composed and centrist Starmer match this energy? Was he dexterous enough to capture the affections of the larger-than-life populist?
“Moments of statecraft like these define leadership,” remarked Alastair Campbell, former spin doctor to Tony Blair, before the meeting. No pressure, indeed.
At 17:33 UK time, Sir Keir emerged from a sleek black SUV, standing face-to-shoulder with the towering president—a clear indicator of their height difference. The initial handshake was brief and somewhat formal. Unlike Trump’s notorious death grip, there was no excessive twisting or patting. Mark Bowden, a human behavior and body language expert at Truthplane, noted that this encounter marked a notable shift in Trump’s usual tactics, hinting at some psychological mind games at play.
“Trump’s typical strategy is to try to destabilize individuals during handshakes,” explains Bowden. “We saw this dynamic with Macron. However, this time, Starmer approached Trump closely, rather than extending his hand far, which gave him a sense of steadiness. It made it more challenging for Trump to throw him off balance. Interestingly, Trump didn’t attempt any of his usual maneuvers, and the handshake ended abruptly. Typically, Trump prolongs contact to assert dominance.”
What unfolded instead was a more relaxed and reassuring Trump, who placed a hand on Starmer’s arm in a gesture of camaraderie. “Often, Trump opts for a hand on the top of the shoulder, signaling a suppressive gesture. With Starmer, however, we witness a more welcoming and supportive approach,” adds Bowden.
Stephanie Davies, a behavioral psychologist and founder/CEO of Laughology, concurs with Bowden’s observations. “Trump is considerably more at ease. During their initial exchange, his body language is neither adversarial nor overly macho; rather, it appears protective, suggesting, ‘I’ve got your back, don’t worry,’” she explains.
As the two men turned to face the cameras, Trump held up an Easy-peeler from his lunchbox, which took a moment to register as a thumbs-up. “This indicates that he anticipates a positive meeting,” says Bowden. Meanwhile, Starmer fidgeted nervously, tugging at his cuffs. Bowden advises against reading too much into this gesture, suggesting, “Some may interpret it as anxiety, but it’s a classic British mannerism, akin to how members of the royal family often adjust their lapels.”
As the men retreated into the West Wing, it was Starmer who took the initiative, giving Trump a reassuring pat on the shoulder, signaling, ‘Alright, we’ve handled that part; now let’s get down to business.’ “What we witnessed was far more cordial and statesmanlike than typical interactions with Trump,” Bowden notes.
One hour later, the press call commenced in a friendly atmosphere, devoid of overt power plays and featuring another gentle handshake. Starmer adeptly employed linguistic tactics to keep Trump engaged, as Davies highlights. “The Prime Minister consistently used the term ‘deal,’ knowing it resonates with Trump. He then allowed Trump to dominate the conversation.”
However, the true spectacle was yet to come. Starmer reached into his jacket pocket and produced a diplomatic coup de grâce, delivering it while locking eyes with Trump, reminiscent of a decisive moment in a high-stakes negotiation. The letter from King Charles caught the president completely off guard. “This was a fascinating olive branch, perhaps even a Trojan Horse,” asserts Bowden. “He reveals this surprise. Clearly, Trump was unprepared, and I believe this was intentional. Typically, it’s Trump who throws surprises. This move interrupted his usual pattern, placing him on the defensive. The expression on his face indicated his recognition of the letter’s significance. It’s a clever play that flatters his ego.”
Starmer then raised his voice to emphasize the letter’s contents, ensuring everyone recognized its importance. Trump nodded and raised his eyebrows, seeking acknowledgment from those present. “Starmer takes advantage of the moment, compelling Trump to respond immediately, leaving no room for him to undermine the impact of the letter. It creates a social bond between them, showcasing Starmer’s strategic brilliance,” Bowden remarks.
“The letter is undoubtedly Starmer’s trump card,” Davies adds. “It’s intriguing that Trump hands it back to Starmer to read. Whether this is due to a lack of understanding of its full significance or an attempt to amplify its importance remains uncertain. Regardless, it enhances the friendly atmosphere between them, and Starmer becomes more playful in their interaction, which Trump responds to positively. As with Macron, there is an element of flattery, but Starmer’s approach is more submissive and flirtatious than Macron’s.”
Experts agree that Sir Keir executed a series of skillful and nuanced maneuvers, the ramifications of which will undoubtedly shape US-UK relations in the months ahead. The two leaders are now set for a rematch in the form of a state visit.
