DONALD TRUMP left officials red-faced today after committing two awkward blunders during a high-profile meeting with Keir Starmer at the G7 summit in Canada.
The former President—now back at the helm in Washington—sat down with the newly elected UK Prime Minister at the summit in Alberta, where world leaders are tackling urgent global issues, including the war in Ukraine and the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.
But what was supposed to be a serious diplomatic encounter quickly took a turn when Mr Trump dropped a vital document in front of gathered press, fumbling as aides scrambled to retrieve it.
Moments later, he referred to an “EU deal” while talking about a key agreement with the UK—prompting raised eyebrows from diplomats on both sides. The UK had exited the EU nearly a decade ago.
A body language expert carefully scrutinised the interaction between the two leaders, uncovering a fascinating insight into the dynamic between the two.
Speaking exclusively to the Express on behalf of Oddspedia, Inbaal Honigman, celebrity psychic and body language expert revealed the following:
“Trump and Starmer’s fluttering papers episode shows their different approaches to life and to work. But more than that, it shows a certain compatibility between their styles and attitudes,” said Inbaal.
“Their differences may make them a better team, than if they had been similar.”
Inbaal described how before the sheets of paper made a bid for freedom, the two heads of state prepared for their photo op in similar ways: “Each was preening himself in his own special way – Starmer is touching his tie and cufflinks, Trump is holding his fancy black folder carefully.
“They face the photographers with their chests puffed out, proud, and each of them is covering his front, one with his folder and one with his laced hands.
“This is a protective gesture, as they keep their middles slightly hidden, which makes them feel safer.
“Starmer looks up to Trump, as the US president looks directly ahead. This shows that the American is in charge.
“But then Trump’s papers fly away, and from then on, the British Prime minister behaves in a different way to Trump.
“It must be noted, that initially both men lean towards the errant notes, not away from the job at hand. They both look down and they both move towards, not away from the incident. They share the same intent, to fix whatever needs fixing.”
Inbaal described how Starmer’s hands were free, then he put them to good use and reached to the fallen papers, decisively and without hesitation. His facial expression never changed: “He knew he can solve this crisis, even with the world’s media present. With his moves, he shows himself to be a capable forward thinker.
“Trump’s hands are not so free, so he gathers the remaining forms, and steps back to get out of Starmer’s way.
“This may appear like he’s ‘just standing there’, but he’s actually taking a step back, attempting to sidestep a bigger spectacle.
“With those moves, he shows himself to be a team player, and aware of his surroundings.
“While Starmer gathers the lost papers, Trump isn’t standing around aimlessly, rather he’s repositioning the rest of the library back in its folder.
“When Starmer jumps back to his feet with the retrieved documents, his back is straight and his head is held high, he’s not feeling as if he is beneath the American President.
“Both men then reposition themselves just as they were before, shoulders square, businesslike and ready to move ahead with the day.”
The two leaders were meeting to finalise what had been hailed as a “really important agreement”—a deal first floated during Sir Keir’s official visit to the White House earlier this year. Talks were expected to pave the way for closer UK-US economic ties, but the President’s slip-ups sparked a flurry of speculation over the state of negotiations behind the scenes.
While neither side officially acknowledged the mix-ups, insiders suggested the atmosphere was “tense but professional”, with efforts quickly made to steer the focus back to substance.
The deal is expected to be unveiled formally later this afternoon, with aides downplaying the missteps and emphasising the strength of the UK-US relationship.
But the awkward episode may overshadow what had been billed as a major diplomatic success for both leaders on the world stage.