Donald Trump is known for his long, at times aggressive, handshakes with world leaders. But at an international summit in the Philippines on Monday, he struggled briefly with a different kind of handshake.

The US president, in Manila, attended the opening ceremonies of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference, which began with pageantry and a group photo of the leaders.

Then, the announcer intoned that it was time for the leaders to take part in the "traditional" Asean handshake. It’s a cross-body exercise, during which each leader extends their right arm over their left and shakes the opposite hands of those next to him.

The announcer’s instructions briefly baffled Mr Trump, who at first simply crossed his hands in front of him.

Then, looking around, he turned to the leaders and simply extended his arms outward, only to find that wasn’t quite right either.