
Beneath the smiles and handshakes, tensions simmer as world leaders meet for G20
- Xi Jinping makes beeline to shake hands with Donald Trump before traditional ‘family photo’ at start of Osaka summit
- But geopolitical rifts between some are evident, despite the camaraderie
In contrast, Xi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were seen later in the day sitting together but not talking, amid frosty relations between the two countries.
Moments before the shoot, Trump had crossed the red carpet with Vladimir Putin, at one point placing his hand on the Russian president’s back as they walked to the steps for the photo. The 38 world leaders took their places in three rows, with host Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the centre of the first – flanked on the left by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Trump, and on the right by Argentine President Mauricio Macri, Putin and Xi.

Across the sea of men – including a stern-looking Trump – mostly in black and navy suits, British Prime Minister Theresa May stood out in a bright red suit, the same one she wore when announcing her resignation last month.
The G20, an event critics say has lost relevance in recent years, comes at a time of growing populism and polarisation around the globe – from political schisms in Europe to American protectionism under Trump and the intensifying US-China conflict.
At a forum dedicated to international economic cooperation, the handshakes and shoulder-rubbing could not mask the growing divisions in the global trading system, with the trade war between Beijing and Washington at the forefront.
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After a more traditional photo, Abe directed the leaders to wave at the camera, during which the US president broke with the others in lifting their arms, instead turning to the Saudi prince to exchange a few words. Tensions briefly flared between the US and Saudi Arabia after the Saudi prince was accused of orchestrating the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October.
Photo shoot over, the leaders filed into an event on the digital economy, where some took the chance to confer informally with their counterparts: Trudeau flashed a thumbs up at Abe, French President Emmanuel Macron clasped Xi’s hands as they spoke for several minutes, and Macron later whispered a few words into Trump’s ear.

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Despite the camaraderie, some geopolitical rifts were still evident between leaders. Xi sat down at the table next to Abe, but while the two leaders shook hands, they did not engage further.
During their photo together on Friday, Xi was unsmiling – in contrast to his more cheery expression while shaking hands with Abe the day before. Abe meanwhile appeared to sigh when Xi walked off the stage, as he waited for the next photo. By comparison, Trump appeared more relaxed when striding around the G20 venue in Osaka, waving and smiling when it was his turn to pose next to Abe, and thanking the Japanese prime minister afterwards.

Xi, who arrived at the G20 summit without his wife, Peng Liyuan, and brought his own vacuum flask, was accompanied by a female translator. Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, did not join him either, but his team included his senior advisers, daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Additional reporting by Wendy Wu, Catherine Wong, Liu Zhen and Kristin Huang in Osaka
