From firm handshakes and arm touches to bows and laughs, an expert decodes the gestures as the two leaders meet in Washington
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenLucy Quagginin WashingtonPublished: 6:47am, 25 Sep 2026Updated: 6:52am, 25 Sep 2026Arm touches, laughs, and firm handshakes were on display as Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump began their high-stakes summit in Washington, which has so far featured a rare airport welcome, military pageantry and closed-door bilateral talks.While the outcomes of the pair’s discussions are being closely watched, so are the exchanges between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies. A body language expert who reviewed the interactions said Trump’s gestures appeared to assert dominance, while Xi remained formal but comfortable.
“You know, the president doesn’t always come to the tarmac to do that. To me, again, that’s symbolic,” Wood said, noting that Xi looked very comfortable at the end of the airport greeting.
