Beneath The Smiles and Handshakes, Tensions Simmer As World Leaders Meet For G20

After converging in Osaka, Japan amid heavy rains, world leaders gathered on Friday morning for the traditional “family photo” that marks the start of the

Group of 20 powwow.

But beneath the smiling faces of the world’s most powerful people, tensions were brewing.

The year-long trade war between Beijing and Washington put the spotlight on Chinese President Xi Jinping, who made a beeline to shake hands with his US counterpart Donald Trump before the group picture, ahead of their high-stakes meeting on Saturday. It was the first time the two leaders had met in person since they called a truce on tariffs in December at the last G20 summit in Argentina – a ceasefire that ended last month as trade talks stalled.

In contrast, Xi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were seen later in the day sitting together but not talking, amid frosty relations between the two countries.

Moments before the shoot, Trump had crossed the red carpet with Vladimir Putin, at one point placing his hand on the Russian president’s back as they walked to the steps for the photo. The 38 world leaders took their places in three rows, with host Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the centre of the first – flanked on the left by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Trump, and on the right by Argentine President Mauricio Macri, Putin and Xi.

BREAKING: Possible American Attack on Venezuela Underway

DOGE says agencies cut $1.6B in federal contracts, flags spending on Somalia, HHS web services

Runner fought off mountain lion with stick just weeks before fatal attack on same Colorado trail

Hochul orders NY landmarks, including One World Trade Center, lit green for Muslim American Heritage Month

US appeals court strikes down California’s open-carry ban in major Second Amendment ruling

Mamdani announces new Office of Mass Engagement, says he needed a ‘clean slate’ to govern New York City

Elon Musk Declares ‘War’ After Somali TikToker Appears to Threaten His Life: ‘He About to Die’

NYPD Found Box of Abandoned Police Uniforms Just Days Before Mamdani Was Sworn In

Police seek suspect after dentist and wife found shot dead at home while 2 young children are unharmed

New York Republicans call for independent fraud investigation following Minnesota revelations

Day Care Fraud Probes Are Popping Up in More States Following Minnesota Revelations

Mamdani disputes antisemitism definition amid blowback from Jewish community about Day 1 executive orders

Kim Jong Un’s daughter takes center stage at dynastic ceremony

Fox News Politics Newsletter: Israel slams Mamdani over revoked Adams executive orders

Conservatives torch media after Mamdani avoids Musk-level backlash over ‘identical’ on-stage gesture

Across the sea of men – including a stern-looking Trump – mostly in black and navy suits, British Prime Minister Theresa May stood out in a bright red suit, the same one she wore when announcing her resignation last month.

The G20, an event critics say has lost relevance in recent years, comes at a time of growing populism and polarisation around the globe – from political schisms in Europe to American protectionism under Trump and the intensifying US-China conflict.

At a forum dedicated to international economic cooperation, the handshakes and shoulder-rubbing could not mask the growing divisions in the global trading system, with the trade war between Beijing and Washington at the forefront.

After a more traditional photo, Abe directed the leaders to wave at the camera, during which the US president broke with the others in lifting their arms, instead turning to the Saudi prince to exchange a few words. Tensions briefly flared between the US and Saudi Arabia after the Saudi prince was accused of orchestrating the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October.