The White House hosted the Chancellor of Germany as it's honored guest on Friday, March 17, and despite talk of trade, NATO, and other international affairs, it was a Trump moment at the very end of his meeting with Angela Merkel that grabbed headlines, with the President seeming to have ignored a request by the German leader to shake hands.

As Trump begins to settle in with his first 100 days in office winding down, over in Germany Merkel has been playing her political hand as elections approach, and she pursues another term in office. Although there is a rise in the political right-wing worldwide, Trump's popularity in Europe isn't what President Obama's was with how well received he was across seas coming into office in 2008. And his policy proposals as they pertain to business with Germany's government, in particular, have made for an icy introduction between him and members of their government. One point of contention has been the President's threat to impose a 35% border tax on vehicles imported into the U.S., which would severely impact the German automobile industry. Trump and Merkel also have differing perspectives on immigration, with the Chancellor admitting that the issue has "to be worked on" during the meeting, but also contended that refugees ought to be able to "shape their lives where they are."

The Chancellor and the President appeared to be getting along well and speaking cordially throughout, and they've since reported that the talk went well. But as cameras flashed and reporters jockeyed for a chance to ask questions, an awkward moment ensued, when Trump made a quip about having been spied on by the past administration; drawing reference to a scandal involving the tapping of Merkel's phone by the NSA in 2013. A couple of chuckles echoed the room, but Merkel appeared put off by the suggestion, keeping a stone face.

Whether or not her bypassing the opportunity to laugh along with the President had anything to do with what followed is anybody's guess, but in the subsequent moments, someone in the room asked if they would shake hands. Merkel seconded the recommendation, leaning over and formally asking Trump if he'd like to shake hands, but his face remained stoic, with his eyes continuing to wander before him.

Source: instagram.com