Trump’s Handshake with Brigitte Macron at G7 Summit

President Donald Trump greeted France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, with one of his characteristic long and firm handshakes during the G7 summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France. This interaction marks the first time Trump delivered this greeting to Brigitte Macron, who is married to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Trump and Emmanuel Macron have a complex relationship, marked by a history of intense handshakes. Their handshakes often resemble a tug-of-war. The handshake tradition began during their first meeting in 2017 in Brussels, which featured a prolonged and competitive grip.

In recent years, Trump and Macron’s interactions have shifted between camaraderie and rivalry. Macron once hosted Trump for Bastille Day celebrations in Paris. This occasion included a high-profile dinner at the Eiffel Tower with both leaders and their spouses. Trump reciprocated by making Macron the guest of honor at his first White House state dinner. However, the relationship cooled by the end of Trump’s first term. Disagreements over tariffs, Ukraine, and the war with Iran strained their relations.

The handshake with Brigitte Macron, described by observers as another example of symbolic physical exchange, adds to the narrative of these interactions.

Countries at the G7 Summit

• France
• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan

G7 Leaders during the Summit

At the time of the Evian summit, the G7 leaders included:

• Emmanuel Macron, President of France (host)
• Donald Trump, President of the United States
• Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
• Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany
• Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
• Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan

These leaders gathered at the 2026 summit amid expected tensions involving Trump and U.S. allies, particularly over Iran and transatlantic cooperation.

Purpose of the G7

The G7 unites major advanced economies to coordinate policies on global economic stability. It addresses international security challenges and discusses issues related to climate, trade, and development. The G7 also fosters diplomatic cooperation among its member nations.

Although not a treaty-based organization, the G7 acts as a forum for building consensus on critical global issues. Analysts suggested that the strained dynamics between Trump and Macron—and Trump’s broader unease with U.S. allies—might impact discussions within the summit.

This is a breaking news story, with updates likely to continue.