The recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit saw a notable moment when United States President Donald Trump met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. The handshake between the two leaders, which lasted for close to 27 seconds, has since become a viral sensation across social media platforms. This encounter occurred amidst ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Online reactions to the handshake have been varied. Many users expressed surprise at the extended duration, with one YouTube commenter questioning Trump’s tendency for prolonged physical contact. Another social media user on X highlighted a perceived difference in their demeanor, noting that Xi Jinping appeared more reserved compared to a seemingly enthusiastic Trump, suggesting that “Xi doesn’t care about Trump.”
Following the handshake, during which they posed for cameras, Trump and Xi proceeded to a private discussion. President Trump later described the meeting as a significant success, rating it a “12 on a scale of one to 10.” He spoke highly of Xi Jinping, calling him a “great leader” and a “great friend.” This interaction marked the first face-to-face meeting between the two world leaders since 2019, their last encounter being on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan when Trump was in his first term as US President.