Body language expert breaks down Trump's reaction to meeting Canada's PM moments after creating scathing post criticizing country
New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney billed himself as the man to take on President Donald Trump during his campaign, and the gloves are already off, according to a body language expert.
At midday Eastern Time (May 6), Trump welcomed Carney to the White House, but not before taking to Truth Social to issue a damning post of Canada.
"I look forward to meeting the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney," he wrote. "I very much want to work with him, but cannot understand one simple TRUTH — Why is America subsidizing Canada by $200 Billion Dollars a year, in addition to giving them FREE Military Protection, and many other things?"
Trump's post continued: "We don’t need their Cars, we don’t need their Energy, we don’t need their Lumber, we don’t need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain.
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"They, on the other hand, need EVERYTHING from us! The Prime Minister will be arriving shortly and that will be, most likely, my only question of consequence."
Carney has also issued some fighting words of his own, previously telling his supporters in Ottawa: "As I've been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country - never.
"But these are not these are not idle threats, President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us - that will never, that will never ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed."
Now, body language expert, Beth Dawson, has explained what she thinks was going on when the 78-year-old POTUS greeted the 60-year-old Canadian prime minister on the steps of the White House today.
Dawson said: "Mark Carney approaches President Trump with his head slightly inclined forward and initiates a handshake, simultaneously placing a hand on Trump’s elbow. The forward head position suggests assertiveness, yet also shows a subtle note of submission: Carney appears somewhat apprehensive.
"The elbow touch, however, shows that he wants to establish connection on equal terms. His expression is one of determination. Carney is not passive, but he is also careful not to come across as overly forceful and he does seem slightly intimidated.
"His posture reflects respect for the encounter, though he is evidently intent on not being dominated. The subtle tilt of his head reveals a degree of deference."
The body language expert further claims that while Carney touches Trump's elbow, Trump 'raises his right shoulder', which she says is a 'classic dominance signal'.
Dawson added: "Trump’s posture is initially slightly stooped, indicating a welcoming stance, but shortly thereafter he makes a subtle shift to stand more upright and raises his fist in a defiant gesture, an unmistakable display of dominance.
"Throughout, Carney maintains a fixed smile and steady eye contact."
However, when turning to face the cameras, Dawson says he 'clasps his hands in a self-soothing gesture and glances up at Trump for cues', which she says 'again revealing a hint of unease'.
"There is a visible, if restrained, sense that he is slightly intimidated in Trump's presence." Dawson continues.
While speaking inside the Oval Office, Trump told Carney it was 'an honor' to have him in his place of work, before lauding his campaign for office.
"I thought you were excellent [in the election race] and I think we have a lot of things in common," Trump said.
He then touched on his ambitions for Canada to become the 51st US state, telling Carney: "I still believe [Canada could be the 51st] state but it takes two to tango.
"It would really be a wonderful marriage because it’s two places that get along very well," to which former banker replied (via the BBC): "Some places are never for sale."
Topics: Donald Trump, Mark Carney, Canada, Politics
Joe Yates