President Donald Trump was met by China’s beaming premier Xi Jinping on the steps of the Great Hall of the People on the first day of his highly-anticipated state visit.

With much at stake during the trip, from international trade to the future of global conflicts , commentators were quick to pour over their every gesture and none more so than their initial handshake.

Body language experts noted that it was Trump, emerging from his motorcade onto the red carpet in Tiananmen Square Wednesday, who instigated the greeting

The two leaders maintained their grip for a full 10 seconds, before the American leader reached across with his left hand to pat Xi gently five times.

President Donald Trump initiates a handshake with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday (AFP/Getty)

There was no “big, fat hug,” however, despite Trump promising as much on social media beforehand.

Experts say it is typically the host who initiates such greetings in an often-unthinking…