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.

FAA investigates after incoming plane executes go-around due to aircraft leaving from intersecting runway

Responders put out explosive blaze at fireworks stand in Oklahoma

Obama Center visitors say project symbolic of ‘Black excellence,’ claim scandal-free legacy while Trump ripped

Trump administration probe could upend widely used transgender youth treatment guidelines

Chinese AI models raise ‘sleeper agent’ fears after report finds more vulnerable code for US users

Angel Dads face another Father’s Day without children killed by illegal immigrants: ‘She should be graduating’

Trump’s contracting controversies in the spotlight following no-bid Reflecting Pool deal

Can Ed Hale, a former Democrat, rebuild the Larry Hogan coalition in Maryland?

JD Vance arrives in Switzerland to join Kushner and Witkoff for new round of Iran negotiations

Trump says much of water in Reflecting Pool likely to be drained: ‘Necessary repairs’

Pope Leo sends unmistakable message on immigrants during visit honoring America’s first saint

Former Olympian among those charged with vandalizing Reflecting Pool; Trump says basin must be drained: report

Obama Presidential Center follows widely-mocked ‘stolen land’ acknowledgment with Native American dance show

Children among 6 wounded in Maryland mass shooting as detectives work to determine what occurred

Manhunt underway for Kansas City shooting spree suspect near World Cup venue; FBI offering $25K reward

See also Trump arrives for UFC fight

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.