DONALD Trump has told reporters he had ‘unbelievable chemistry’ with Angela Merkel – despite their awkward non-handshake during her recent visit to the US.

Coverage of the German chancellor’s first meeting with the new American President was dominated by the incident in which Trump appeared to ignore calls to shake Merkel’s hand.

3 Donald Trump and Angela Merkel has an awkward encounter at the White House Credit: Getty Images

But the billionaire Republican recently named his German counterpart as one of the world leaders he got along best with.

He said: “Yeah it's funny, one of the best chemistries I had was with Merkel.”

When asked whether that was something he had expected before meeting her, Trump replied that he hadn’t.

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He said: “No, because, um, I'm at odds on, you know, the Nato payments and I'm at odds on immigration.

“We had unbelievable chemistry. And people have given me credit for having great chemistry with all of the leaders, including el-Sissi … so it was a great thing to see that happen.”

Many have pointed to footage of the pair’s March meeting in Washington as evidence of a very different relationship between the two.

In it, reporters can be heard asking the pair to shake hands for what was meant to be a smiling photo op – marking the German chancellor’s first visit to the White House under Trump.

3 Trump and Merkel did shake hands outside the White House Credit: EPA

Thinking he hadn’t heard, Merkel appears to gently asks him: “Do you want to do the handshake?”

But Trump seems to completely ignore the simple request during their joint appearance and continues staring straight ahead.

Looking slightly embarrassed, Merkel turns to the cameras smiling and slightly grimacing.

But Trump attempted to explain away the incident as a simple misunderstanding in his latest interview.

3 Trump has now said he had 'unbelievable chemistry' with Merkel Credit: EPA

He said: “I guess somebody shouted out, ‘Shake her hand, shake her hand,’ you know. But I never heard it.

“But I had already shaken her hand four times. You know, because we were together for a long time.”

The pair were indeed pictured shaking hands at the White House entrance at the start of Merkel’s visit.

But Trump was attacked as a misogynist by many on social media after the later handshake “snub” as the pair sat in the Oval Office.

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