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.

Husband’s phone GPS data prompts feds to search 25-foot-deep Bahamian waters for Lynette Hooker: sources

Judge hands Trump mail-ballot win for now as Democrats’ next move looms

Another One: Male LGBT Activist Arrested After Admitting Abusive Plan for 13-Year-Old Boy

1994 NBA Finals Clip Resurfaces Showing Trump at Knicks Game After Hochul Questioned His Fandom

Clarence Thomas puts Dems on clock as Alabama GOP emergency map bid stalled

Anti-ICE agitators throw wooden pallets, mattresses at federal agents during chaotic NJ detention center clash

Federal government’s landlord joins Vance fraud crackdown as White House widens hunt: ‘Critical force’

Al Green was a fighter for the Democrats. He lost his Texas primary anyway

Pentagon slashes NATO combat commitments as Trump pushes Europe to defend itself

US denies reports of evacuating US Embassy in Kyiv amid threats of Russian airstrikes

Ukrainian veterans are returning injured, broken, and angry. How can the government help them survive?

California teacher Samantha Watson arrested for alleged sexual conduct with student at charter school

RFK Jr. responds to snake-handling critics with new video showing him wrangling a venomous rattlesnake

Nebraska K9 sniffs out 525 pounds of cocaine during routine traffic stop, leading to California man’s arrest

EXCLUSIVE: Veterans turn war stories into music at Trump Kennedy Center in powerful patriotic showcase

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.