The handshake is often seen as a simple gesture, but it can reveal a lot about a leader’s intentions and relationships with other world powers. A notable example was during a 2017 press conference where US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel seemingly ignored each other, choosing instead to focus on the media corps present.
This awkward display of avoidance foreshadowed the rocky relationship between the two leaders. Their inability to shake hands, a normally routine gesture, signaled a deeper tension and distrust. This incident highlighted the challenges that would arise in their working relationship, setting the tone for a complex and often contentious partnership.
Source: https://www.politico.eu/article/what-a-non-handshake-tells-us-about-syrias-new-ruler