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.

Social media erupts over Mamdani’s silence after Brooklyn coffee shop bans Jewish congressman

MLB Issues Unexpected Response on Players With Bible Verses on Uniforms, Says They Will Never Be Fined

Air traffic control audio captures tense moment two planes nearly collided at Boston Logan Airport

Foreign Born Biden Judge Named ‘Sparkle’ Strikes Down Trump Database to Purge Illegal Voters Because It Purges Voters

Swalwell pal accused of using campaign cash to bankroll ‘luxury lifestyle’ — including Super Bowl tickets

Savannah Guthrie pleads for tips as ransom note claims mom is dead: ‘Somebody knows something’

Zohran Mamdani tries to remake the Big Apple’s congressional delegation

Music Library Curator’s Career Hits High Note with Discovery of ‘New’ Mozart Manuscript

Trump endorses John James in Michigan governor race as GOP rival exits primary

GRAPHIC: One of the Absolute Worst Rape Gang Incidents Involved Baseball Bat, Hot Brand, Red Ball, and Special ‘Pump,’ But Never Made It Into the Report

A tale of two parties: Trump, Mamdani put political clout on the line as four states hold primaries

Why Britain’s prime ministerial doom loop will continue until immigration reform is fixed

Connecticut dad jumped to his death during concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC: report

Coast Guard helicopter crashes during Alaska training mission, injuring four crew members

BREAKING: Heartbreak in Nancy Guthrie Case as Note Believed to Be from Kidnappers Confirms She Is Dead

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.