REUTERS Angela Merkel looked startled during her handshake with Donald Trump

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A startled German chancellor was the latest victim to Donald Trump’s now-infamous handshakes ahead of talks this evening. Angela Merkel was a picture of surprise as she greeted the US president this evening, just hours after he issued a rallying cry for the survival of the West. The pair are set to have private talks today ahead of the two-day G20 summit, which is being hosted by Germany in Hamburg.

Ms Merkel said today she will represent “German and European interests” and seek to find “compromises” with the US, who angered many members by pulling out of the Paris climate agreement earlier this year. She said: “We know US wants to leave Paris Climate Accord but many others remain committed.

G20 Summit, latest pictures Thu, July 6, 2017 Leaders of the world's top economies will gather from July 7 to 8, 2017 in Germany for likely the stormiest G20 summit in years, with disagreements ranging from wars to climate change and global trade Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 21 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and US President Donald Trump shake hands prior to a bilateral meeting on the eve of the G20 summit in Hamburg

“There are various options [for cooperation], which can be discussed." This is just the latest example of eccentric greeting by the US president.

In February Mr Trump held the Japanese Prime Minister in a tense 19-second handshake, after which Shinzo Abe winced visibly. In May, France’s new president Emmanuel Macron appeared to turn the tables on Mr Trump by giving a strong handshake which turned the US president’s knuckles white.

REUTERS Angela Merkel looked stunned during her meeting with Mr Trump today

And today the US president was left red-faced when Agata Kornhauser-Duda, the wife of Polish president Andrzej Duda, left Mr Trump hanging by greeting his wife Melania first. Earlier today Mr Trump gave a fiery talk in Poland where he said Western civilisation needed to stand up to those "who would subvert and destroy it”.

REUTERS Donald Trump and Angela Merkel scheduled talks tonight ahead of the G20 summit tomorrow

Words are easy, but actions are what matters… Europe must do more Donald Trump