President Donald Trump and his wife First Lady Melania have been in Europe for two days for the G7 summit, where they have met with a flurry of other world leaders and their spouses. The event is being held at the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, France.
On Sunday evening, the leaders met for a glamorous dinner, where President Trump puckered up for what appeared to be an awkward greeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He also kissed the wife of Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte, who reciprocated by giving Trump a traditional European kiss.
First Lady Melania Trump also puckered up, kissing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Before the dinner, the leaders and their significant others got together to take a photo outside with some other invited guests. Donald and Melania held hands on the risers; after the photo, French President Macron seemed to ask Trump if he would mind taking another picture. Chilean president Sebastian Pinera and his wife Cecila Morel joined the French and US leaders for the additional photograph.
The most awkward meeting was the one between President Trump and Angela Merkel, as the Trump Administration hasn’t been shy about doling out harsh words regarding the German chancellor–particularly when it comes to her administration’s handling of immigration into her nation.
The German leader looked uncomfortable as Trump leaned in for a kiss.
Yesterday, the Trumps arrived in France for the G7 summit, where they were greeted by France’s First Couple. When they arrived in France, Trump spoke with his French counterpart, while First Lady Melania conversed with Brigitte–the wife of Macron.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron as they arrive for the official welcome at the G7 summit in France. https://t.co/z29F7kAee2 [1] pic.twitter.com/9pISh1ppMg [2]
— CNN (@CNN) August 24, 2019 [3]
Then during a meal, Trump and Macron discussed “the importance of promoting free and fair trade, reducing trade barriers, taxation, and regulation, and ensuring freedom of navigation and commerce as pillars of global economic growth,’ in addition to developing crises in Libya, the Sahel region in Africa and the Persian Gulf,” according to a statement from the White House. It appeared to be a friendly, productive day for the leaders of both nations.
Previously, Trump had threatened to slap a tax on French wine. However, it appears that threat is not going to materialize anytime soon as he spoke fondly of the French president today saying that had been “friends for a long time” and “have a lot in common” with each other. He said, “And every once in a while, we go at it just a little bit, not very much. But we get along very well. We have a very good relationship.”
As the G7 summit continues, it will certainly be interesting to observe how the Trumps are welcomed by Europe’s leaders, many of whom have been openly critical of the American administration.