Donald Trump’s body language has been studied when it comes to his interactions with Chinese leader, Xi Jinping as the pair reunite once again.
Trump and Xi came together in Beijing, marking the US president’s first official trip to China since his previous visit in 2017.
Although earlier encounters between the two leaders have often appeared cordial, their latest photo opportunity at the Great Hall of the People sparked fresh scrutiny, with some observers sensing a different tone.
Much of that attention has focused on what Trump’s posture and gestures may have been communicating, according to body language specialist Judi James.
She explained that ‘both men adopt a mirrored pose of alpha power’ in the images, as their feet adopt a ‘splayed’ stance, suggesting their ‘confident status.’
Still, James pointed to one particular ‘power’ signal from Trump that stood out.
James told The Sun: “Trump set his tone from the moment he stepped from his car.”
She highlighted a moment in which he appeared to pause and adjust his clothing, saying he was ‘pausing to button his jacket’, while ‘he applied an emphatically serious mouth clamp and took his time to appear calm and unhurried.’
In her view, that sequence led into an intense moment of eye contact, as he locked ‘eyes with a waiting Xi’, before he ‘performed his “bullfrog” smile’—a look she suggested signaled recognition of the Chinese president while maintaining a ‘state of overall seriousness’.
Afterwards, James said: “Trump used several minor power gestures, throwing his hand out first to initiate the handshake and pulling Xi and himself closer while rotating to be seen to the cameras as they shook for about ten seconds.”
It mirrors the style of handshake he has become known for in other public appearances, where he grips firmly and draws the other person toward him.
James also noted familiar hand-contact behavior during the greeting: “Trump’s patting of Xi’s hand as the shake juddered between them was a power-pat ritual but one longer pat appeared to be used to show their friendship and ability to cement the deal.”
Later, as the leaders stood outside the Temple of Heaven, she said Trump showed subtle signs that hinted at a heavier emotional load.
She said: “There was none of the kind of non-verbal purring or celebratory smugness we saw during the King’s visit and no showboating, either.
“Trump appeared to take a deep breath in and perform a body-bracing ritual as though suddenly very aware of exactly how much is at stake in this meeting.”
Trump is scheduled to remain in China until May 15.