LIFE is full of awkward moments, and when two leaders meet from opposite sides of the political divide it’s fair to assume there will be plenty of these.

And all it takes is just one photo and a picture-perfect expression for the internet to work its magic.

Cue meme gold.

US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau became their own meme following what appeared to be at first glance a very awkward handshake.

But on closer inspection, all is not quite what it seems.

The two leaders were sitting in the Oval Office when Mr Trump extended his hand to his Canadian counterpart.

Mr Trudeau reached across and reciprocated the gesture in front of waiting media.

However thanks to one quick photographer, the expression on Mr Trudeau’s face quickly became an internet meme, with many taking the photo out of context, or at least finding the funny side of it.

Some social media users commented that Mr Trudeau’s face summed up how the whole world was feeling.

Today, we are all Justin Trudeau pic.twitter.com/woXgZshntj — Kim Kelly (@GrimKim) February 13, 2017

Undoctored photo of Donald Trump looking for a handshake from Justin Trudeau pic.twitter.com/rx5DmFRH8T — Sir_Stride (@sirfrench17) February 13, 2017

Justin Trudeau has clearly seen Trump's terrifying handshake. pic.twitter.com/R7ZqfeGOMT — Sarah Churchwell (@sarahchurchwell) February 13, 2017

In reality though here’s what really happened.

The leaders were due to attend a roundtable talk about the advancement of women in business before holding a joint press conference at the White House.

The pair were sitting there smiling for the cameras and it seems as if a long time passes before they do actually shake hands.

In fact it’s Mr Trump who seems to get the hint the media want a photograph of them shaking hands so he suggests they do just that.

No long handshake, but here are Trump & Trudeau in the Oval.



Trump: "I think they (the press) want a handshake" pic.twitter.com/yogZaymkME — Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) February 13, 2017

However, while the handshake itself may not seem that awkward there were plenty of moments between the pair that didn’t go unnoticed.

Many also commented on how Mr Trump greeted his Canadian counterpart outside the White House.

Great Canadian victories

1. War of 1812

2. Gold medal hockey matches, 2010 Olympics

3. Trudeau-Trump handshake, 2017 pic.twitter.com/Q8i2DjXZ5E — Kelly Lamrock, Q.C. (@KLamrock) February 13, 2017

Check muscle flinch at 0:06

Trump tries his macho arm-yank handshake thing

But he gets nowhere, due to Trudeau's single-arm dumbbell rows https://t.co/DtQH2U5Xj9 — Jonathan Kay (@jonkay) February 13, 2017

trump tried to do his weird pull-in dominance handshake but was easily overpowered by Trudeau https://t.co/bwsapD4PId — your friend (@ItsTonyNow) February 13, 2017

This is amazing. Trump is trying to overpower Trudeau in the handshake and Trudeau literally fighting back. https://t.co/qHqfSdWQp3 — holly wood🌹 (@girlziplocked) February 13, 2017

#TheResistance



The handshake question. Some say Trump didn't try his strong arm jerk & pull. I think he did, but Trudeau is wicked strong. pic.twitter.com/bZxFty84J6 — The Anti-Trump (@IMPL0RABLE) February 13, 2017

Social media users were also quick to point out the apparent awkwardness Mr Trump experienced during their joint press conference.

Mr Trudeau spoke of the two countries being long-time allies and trade partners before he switched to French.

Trump seems confused by French-speaking Trudeau. It's like watching a dog who knows a few words. He looks up when Trudeau says "Trump" — Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) February 13, 2017

Trudeau started speaking French, & Trump fumbled through papers for his earpiece. By the time he put it in, Trudeau was speaking English. — Laurie Crosswell 🌞 (@lauriecrosswell) February 13, 2017

Trump when Trudeau started speaking French 😄 pic.twitter.com/7pthuwbYwy — Shaan Haider (@shaanhaider) February 13, 2017

Me watching Trudeau translate himself into French. pic.twitter.com/yazecf1Nvj — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) February 13, 2017

TRUMP’S DOMINANT HANDSHAKE

Mr Trump may have only been in the chair for less than a month, but his trade handshake hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Regarded as strong and heavy, many on Twitter say it is proof Mr Trump likes to dominate the situation.

Body language expert Darren Stanton told UK newspaper The Express that you can tell a lot from a person by their handshake.

According to him the President’s handshake was all about pulling people into his personal space to test whether they will be compliant.

Trump’s weird handshake Trump’s weird handshake

“For President Trump it’s all about the assertion of power and control,” he said.

“The fact that he already knows he’s the most powerful man on the planet right now does not detract from the fact that you can take the businessman out of the boardroom but you can take the boardroom out of the businessman.”

Either way, this wouldn’t be the first time the internet has poked fun at Mr Trump’s handshake manner.

Last Friday, Mr Trump was pictured in an excruciating 30 second handshake with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which many said went on for far too long.

PM Shinzo Abe after Trump handshake: 😵 pic.twitter.com/h0ayPS9pB9 — Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) February 10, 2017

And HBO’s Last Week Tonight host John Oliver couldn’t resist making fun of Mr Trump’s numerous handshake moments, collating a collection of the best ones.

Enjoy.

Meanwhile it seems the President’s daughter didn’t escape Twitter’s attention either during the meeting between the North American leaders.

Mr Trudeau sat alongside Ivanka Trump during a roundtable discussion on women entrepreneurs and business leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House and the internet quickly took notice.

After only 3 hours spent having her hair and makeup done, Ivanka meets w/Trudeau to discuss how to empower women. #TrudeauMeetsTrump #irony pic.twitter.com/42EDMl5sZZ — Can't We All... (@JeetoCheesus) February 13, 2017

The only thing Ivanka Trump and I have in common, is the way we look at Justin Trudeau. pic.twitter.com/3NEOkjhmtK — gabrielle (@gabbySLC) February 13, 2017

debra.killalea@news.com.au