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If words weren’t enough, the body language proved it.
President Trump’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday showed two leaders in deep alignment, a body language expert tells The Post, pointing at Trump’s hand movements.
A series of tells from Trump’s encounters with Erdoğan featured open palms and friendly touching, assessed Lillian Glass, author of “The Body Language of Liars.”
Trump announced during the first day of his visit to the annual NATO summit that he plans to lift weapons-sale sanctions on Turkey that he imposed during his first term — when he had a series of clashes with his authoritarian counterpart — and that he was considering authorizing the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets, which would solidify Erdoğan’s military edge in the region.
Glass said it was apparent from the start that Erdoğan was in Trump’s good graces.
After descending the steps of Air Force One, Trump greeted the Turkish leader by “clap[ping] his hands in delight and then reach[ing] out his hand to [Erdoğan] with an open palm, which is a very positive welcome greeting,” she said.
“He put his hand over Erdoğan’s shoulder, which is an intimate gesture that they are close friends. He also st[ood] very close to him, which is another sign of their closeness, literally and figuratively. Trump again reache[d] out and pat him on the arm.”
As they walked, “Erdoğan grab[bed] onto Trump… and even bump[ed] arms at one point.”
“With the close proximity of their leaning into one another, there is a mutual affection towards one another and clearly a friendship,” she said. “Erdoğan shows respect by allowing Trump to take center stage and walk in front of him… and keeps holding onto Trump’s back during the whole conversation.”
Later, during a bilateral press availability where they took questions, “[Trump] brings up that Turkey has been a great ally [to] the US, as he uses open-palm, wide, expansive gestures which indicate credibility and sincerity.”
Trump praised his host’s actions during the Iran war, favorably appraising his actions as helpful while bashing other American allies, including the UK, France, Germany and Italy, for withholding assistance.