EXCLUSIVE: Body language expert tells Ny Breaking how Xi scolded Biden for being a ‘bad boy’ during their handshake – and reveals which of the two world leaders was more focused on asserting their dominance
Joe Biden showed a “desire to dominate Xi Jinping” as he greeted the Chinese leader, according to a body language expert.
Biden appeared to want to come “on top” in his talks with Xi as he greeted the Chinese leader on a red carpet outside the luxury Filoli estate near San Francisco.
It started as a normal handshake, but then Biden took out his left hand and placed it on Xi’s upper body, showing his strength and desire to dominate, body language expert Patti Wood told DailyMail.com
The author Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma noticed Xi taking his right hand and adjusting his cufflink, showing a hint of fear and a sense that he was ready for conflict.
Biden wanted to dominate Xi with their handshake, says a body language expert
Xi then patted the side of his hand to admonish Biden for a ‘bad boy’ move, suggesting he should stop doing so
Biden appeared to show strength, the expert said
Xi then patted the side of his hand to admonish Biden for a “bad boy” move, suggesting he should stop doing so.
The Chinese Prime Minister smiled throughout the conversation, which was not necessarily a sign of pleasure.
In China, many smile as a mask to hide their true feelings.
As the pair walked up the red carpet to the steps to pose for photos, they stood further apart than other world leaders would, Wood said.
But it wasn’t necessarily intentional, and perhaps to accommodate Chinese culture, where people allow more space during meetings.
When they sat at the negotiating table, Biden and Xi did not sit directly across from each other.
But Wood noticed Xi pointing his body toward Biden as they began negotiations.
Biden looks at Xi at the table
Xi leaned slightly over his notes
That was an indication that he wanted to be engaged and aligned with the American president.
Xi also leaned over his notes and put his hands on the table, indicating that he wanted to say everything precisely, without realizing that it looked less forceful than Biden.
Meanwhile, Biden seemed willing to be more spontaneous and continued to smile.
Wood says the way Biden put his elbows on the table with his hands up and his fingers interlocked shows that he wanted to be anchored and have power and control over the situation.
Wood says she looked for signs of fear and worry in Biden during the meeting but didn’t see any.