Trump and Macron share limp handshake as bromance evaporates

There were no warm embraces or friendly back-slaps as two leaders met for talks in New York

It was an unlikely friendship, displayed to the world with pats on the back, shoulder-squeezing, and dandruff diplomacy. But now the apparent bromance between Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron is not what it used to be.

There was no warm embrace or back-slapping as they met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The two leaders shared a light handshake before quickly getting down to business, discussing a number of issues over which they are at odds.

The pair agreed to disagree on the Iran nuclear deal, which Mr Trump withdrew the US from earlier this year, before reimposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic, according to French officials.

It was a similar story with the US president’s protectionist policies and support for Israel.

The business-like mood contrasted with the US president’s fawning over his French counterpart at a state dinner in April, and Mr Macron’s lavish Eiffel Tower welcome for the Trumps last year.

Ahead of their latest meeting, Mr Trump said the pair had had “some very good experiences”, adding: ”On occasion not so good, but 99 per cent very good.”

The White House said “both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to closely coordinate, to address global challenges” during the talks.

A pair of French presidential aides specified that this meant working together on Syria and a new US trade deal with Europe.

Mr Macron appeared to convince Mr Trump to follow through on promises to visit Paris in November to mark 100 years since the end of World War I, with a possible battlefield tour on the US president’s itinerary.

Mr Trump also offered Mr Macron an unexpected compliment, praising him as the new “hardliner” of Europe for his tough stance on Brexit negotiations, according to French aides.

The officials, who took part in the meeting but said they were not authorised to be publicly named, described the meeting as “cordial.”

However, Mr Macron later appeared to take a swipe at Mr Trump’s “America first” policies, telling the UN: “Even in the face of certain nationalism, which we are seeing today, brandishing sovereignty as a way of attacking others. Here today, even those who might criticise it, we have all benefited from the way global order is structured around globalisation.”