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.

Watch: Letitia James Has No Answer When Reporter Points Out Big Problem with Her Cornell Move

DNA Test Leads to Adopted Man Learning His Biological Father Is a Rock-and-Roll Legend

Watch: Reporter Narrowly Dodges ‘Murder Attempt’ While Filming Outside ‘Taxpayer Funded Drug Dealing Operation’

‘Cornell 7’ Case Turns Political as Kathy Hochul Gets Involved with Executive Order

FBI overhauls tech backbone to counter AI threats from foreign adversaries, reduce response times, Patel says

Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s partner, Ken Urker, found dead inside his Louisiana home: sheriff

Amazon expands Prime settlement payouts: Do you qualify?

Dems demanding Venezuela brief face State Department fury as senators leave town without answers

VA University in Legal Trouble After Trying to Take Control of Christian Student Groups but Ignoring Muslims

DOJ Considering Whether Prosecutor’s Office Committed Misconduct Against Nixon: Report

Obama judge halts Trump firing bid as decades-old legal authority tees up possible major reversal

Somali former aide to Minneapolis mayor sentenced in Feeding Our Future fraud case

Socialist streamer Hasan Piker faces fury after pressuring Talarico to enact far-left policy if elected

Pope Leo XIV says Vatican is renewing alliance with ‘artists and cultural institutions’ against AI

Leftists Melt Down as Rapper Eminem Partners with Kid Rock on New Christian Album

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.