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During a meeting of world leaders at the Nato summit in Brussels, the US president appeared to be eager to greet his French counterpart, however, Mr Macron made a bee-line for the German Chancellor. Mr Macron then turned his attention to Belgian prime minister Charles Michel and Nato’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, once again refusing to acknowledge President Trump’s presence. However, the American wasn’t having any of it and grabbed at Mr Macron’s hand before vigorously shaking it. During the awkward footage, President Trump appears to drag the Frenchman close, while Mr Macron pulls back.

GETTY Donald Trump offered yet another dominating handshake to Emmanuel Macron

It is my great honour to be with the newly elected president of France Donald Trump

Eventually, the French president can be seen putting his hand on the American’s arm as Mr Macron tries to free himself from President Trump’s clutches. At an earlier meeting, the pair were put in a similar situation during another extended handshake, in which both leaders refused to pull away. President Trump and Mr Macron stared into each other's eyes and through the grimaces of their firm grips as they greeted one another. France 24’s White House reporter Philip Crowther, who was watching on, said both leaders’ jaws clenched as a result.

He said: “The two presidents, each wearing dark suits and blue ties, sat in antique cream-upholstered arm chairs, with two American and French flags behind them. “They shook hands for an extended period of time. Each president gripped the other’s hand with considerable intensity, their knuckles turning white and their jaws clenching and faces tightening.” Despite his public support for Mr Macron’s election rival Marine Le Pen, President Trump has praised the newly elected French president. The American said: “It is my great honour to be with the newly elected president of France, who ran an incredible campaign and had a tremendous victory. All over the world they’re talking about it.

NATO countries' heads of states gather in Brussels Thu, May 25, 2017 NATO countries' heads of states and governments gather in Brussels for a one-day meeting Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 24 U.S. President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May react during a ceremony at the new NATO headquarters in Brussels