What Donald Trump and Xi Jinping revealed in the body language with their wives

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump concluded their three-day state visit on Friday amid a marked difference in the dynamics of their respective presidential couples, according to body language experts. The interactions between Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan, and Trump and his wife Melania Trump, were observed closely during their time together on Friday, culminating in an outing at the National Archives Museum in Washington.

Body language expert Patti Wood noted the distinct differences in the couples' gestures. Upon their arrival, Xi and Peng held hands while walking, a natural gesture that Wood deemed "beautiful," especially considering the unusual nature of holding hands in Chinese culture. In contrast, the Trumps were at a distance from each other and appeared "out of sync" with stiff postures, suggesting tension.

Even after the hand-holding ceased before entering the museum, Xi and Peng's bodies remained "in alignment." Inside, Xi interacted with Peng by letting her approach him from behind to look at historical documents together, interpreted as a symbolic display of unity. When they exited, the Trumps resumed holding hands, though Wood noted a sense of abruptness in the gesture, with Melania Trump slightly moving ahead of Trump as they descended the stairs.

This action was interpreted as supportive by Wood. The farewell saw the Trumps continuing to hold hands, although Wood observed subtle tension in the handhold. Overall, the body language of the Trumps in their farewell suggested a more strained dynamic compared to the more natural and unified gestures observed in the Chinese couple.