Mary Bowerman

USA TODAY

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the prolonged handshake between himself and President Trump had a deeper meaning.

"My handshake with [President Trump] was not innocent, not the alpha and the omega of a policy, but a moment of truth," Macron told the Journal du Dimanche. "We must show that we will not make small concessions, even symbolic ones."

The two leaders met on Thursday in Brussels and shook hands for long enough to catch the attention of reporters in the room.

Washington Post reported Phillip Rucker described the handshake as a battle of wills: "They shook hands for an extended period of time. Trump and Macron gripped the other's hand with considerable intensity, their knuckles turning white and their jaws clenching and faces tightening."

This isn't the first time President Trump's assertive handshake style has gained attention.

When Donald Trump unveiled his Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch the Internet had the pleasure of dissecting this shake, tap and tug style:

A handshake technique he's also used on Mike Pence during the election.

Despite the handshake battle, Macron told Journal du Dimanche he believes that he will have a "cordial relationship" with President Trump.