Donald Trump has denied refusing to shake hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, insisting he “didn’t hear” reporters calling for a handshake.Awkward video emerged from an Oval Office photocall in the hours following their meeting, as reporters repeatedly asked for the leaders to shake hands for the cameras. Ms Merkel turned to Mr Trump, asking if he wanted to “do a handshake.” However, Mr Trump had not shook hands with the Chancellor.
But in an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Trump said he had a “great” meeting with her. “I shook hands about five times and then we were sitting in two seats...and I guess a reporter said ‘shake her hand’. I didn’t hear it.
“I really liked her. She said the same thing to me,” he told the newspaper.He also praised the EU’s response to Brexit, admitting he initially thought UK leaving the EU would spark an exodus of nations from the bloc.
