Historic Handshakes and Political Prowess
The Queen and Martin McGuinness, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, Paul Hollywood alongside various Great British Bake Off contestants—some handshakes resonate through history. Yesterday, we eagerly anticipated Sir Keir Starmer’s crucial handshake with the man who holds the future of Europe in his hands. The Prime Minister had some towering expectations to meet. Or perhaps we should say, some oversized gloves to fill. Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron enthusiastically clasped hands with Trump, who responded with equal fervor. There were moments of knee-grabbing, and at one point, it almost seemed like a playful thumb war might erupt.
Could the usually reserved and buttoned-up centrist Starmer rise to the occasion? Was he charismatic enough to win over the formidable populist?
“Moments of statecraft like these define leaderships,” remarked Alastair Campbell, former spin doctor to Tony Blair, ahead of the meeting. Talk about pressure!
At precisely 17:33 UK time, Sir Keir emerged from a substantial black SUV, standing face-to-shoulder with the President—a striking reminder of their height difference. Their initial handshake was somewhat perfunctory. There was no trademark Trump death grip, no twisting or vigorous patting. Mark Bowden, an expert in human behavior and body language at Truthplane, noted that we were witnessing a remarkable shift in Trump’s usual approach, suggesting some subtle yet clever psychological maneuvering.
“Trump typically employs his handshakes to unsettle others,” Bowden explained. “We saw this with Macron. However, this predictability allowed Starmer to counter it; by moving in close for the handshake rather than extending his hand too far, he maintained his balance. This strategy makes it harder to be thrown off guard. Interestingly, Trump didn’t attempt any of his usual tactics, which says a lot. The handshake was quick, unlike Trump’s norm of prolonging contact to assert dominance.”
What transpired instead was a more relaxed and protective Trump, who placed a hand on the side of Starmer’s arm. “Typically, Trump might impose a hand on the top of the shoulder in a suppressive gesture, but with Starmer, we observed a more welcoming and reassuring touch,” Bowden added.
Behavioral psychologist Stephanie Davies, founder and CEO of the consultancy Laughology, shared a similar sentiment. “Trump appeared noticeably more at ease. During their initial exchange, his body language was neither adversarial nor overly assertive; it felt almost protective, as if he were saying, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got your back,’” she remarked.
As the two men turned to face the cameras, Trump held up an Easy-peeler from his lunchbox, which took a moment for onlookers to realize was actually a thumbs-up. “This gesture signifies his belief that the meeting will be productive,” Bowden explained. Meanwhile, Sir Keir fidgeted with his cuffs, a move Bowden advises against overanalyzing. “Some might interpret this as nervousness, but it’s a classic British gesture, akin to smoothing down the lapels of a jacket. The royal family does it frequently,” he noted.
Trump’s thumbs-up indicated optimism for their discussions (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters). As they proceeded into the West Wing, Starmer was the one who took the initiative, gently patting Trump on the shoulder, signifying that the formalities were over and it was time to delve into serious matters.
According to Bowden, “What unfolded was far more cordial and statesman-like than usual.” An hour later, the press briefing began with a friendly atmosphere, devoid of any overt power struggles, and featured yet another tame handshake.
Starmer skillfully employed linguistic strategies to capture the President’s attention, Davies explained. “The Prime Minister repeatedly used the term ‘deal,’ knowing it resonates with Trump and will engage him. He then allowed Trump to dominate the conversation,” she noted.
However, this was merely the prelude. Starmer reached into his jacket pocket and unveiled a diplomatic coup de grace, locking eyes with Trump as he delivered it with the gravitas of a seasoned statesman. The letter from King Charles took the President completely by surprise. “This act was a fascinating olive branch, if not a Trojan Horse,” Bowden stated. “Starmer’s unexpected reveal clearly caught Trump off guard, likely intended as such. It’s usually Trump who throws unexpected challenges, but this was a strategic disruption. It put him on the defensive, and you could see in his expression that he recognized the significance of the moment. It was a brilliant stroke to appeal to Trump’s ego.”
“Starmer then used a loud, clear voice to articulate the contents of the letter, ensuring everyone understood its importance. Trump nodded and raised his eyebrows, seeking acknowledgment from all present to emphasize the gravity of the situation. Starmer deftly ensured that there was no opportunity for Trump to undermine the letter’s impact, prompting him to respond immediately. “This maneuver positioned Trump within a social framework aligned with Starmer. It was an astute tactical play,” Bowden remarked.
“The letter is Starmer’s ace in the hole,” Davies added. “Interestingly, Trump returned the letter to Starmer for him to read aloud. Whether this was due to a lack of understanding of its full significance or an attempt to amplify its importance remains unclear. However, it contributed to the amicable atmosphere between them, and Starmer became more playful in his interactions afterward, which Trump responded positively to. Similar to his interaction with Macron, there’s an element of flattery involved, though Starmer’s approach feels more submissively flirtatious than Macron’s.”
The consensus among experts is that Sir Keir Starmer executed some highly skilled and nuanced maneuvers, the effects of which will likely shape US-UK relations in the coming months. Now, Trump and Starmer find themselves poised for a rematch in the form of a prospective state visit.
