EU Leader Experiences 'Out of Body' Moment During Trump's Wild Rant

Understanding the Nonverbal Cues in the Trump-Von der Leyen Meeting

Body language expert Judi James has provided insights into a recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen. The discussion centered on a new agreement regarding tariffs on European Union goods, and James believes that von der Leyen's body language revealed more than her words did.

James noted that during the conversation, von der Leyen appeared to be "having an out-of-body experience" as she listened to Trump. This observation was made during their meeting at Trump’s golf course in Turnberry, Scotland. According to James, von der Leyen adopted what she calls the “opossum” response—remaining very still and staring expressionlessly, but with subtle signs of inner tension.

Signs of Tension and Disagreement

One of the key indicators of von der Leyen's internal state was her "sharp eye-stare," which suggested a silent challenge. James also pointed out that von der Leyen had a "rapid blink rate," which is often associated with stress or disagreement. She explained that this quick blinking is a sign of adrenaline, indicating that von der Leyen might not have been fully aligned with Trump’s statements.

Despite appearing calm and composed, James identified two micro-gestures that hinted at possible disbelief or disagreement. These included a brief eyebrow raise when Trump mentioned windmills and a visible swallow. Additionally, the positioning of von der Leyen's hands showed a level of suppression. While her hands seemed elegantly crossed in her lap, closer inspection revealed that her left hand was clenched tightly, with her right hand placed on top as if she was trying to hold back from speaking.

Trump's Comments on Windmills

The out-of-body experience seemed to occur specifically when Trump discussed his stance on windmills. He stated, "But you look at these beautiful landscapes, all over the world and many countries have gotten smart and they will not allow it." Trump continued, saying, "It's the worst form of energy, the most expensive form of energy," before adding, "But windmills should not be allowed."

Throughout this exchange, von der Leyen maintained an emotionless expression, which James interpreted as a sign of internal conflict. Her nonverbal cues suggested she was not entirely comfortable with Trump’s position on the issue.

The EU-U.S. Tariff Agreement

James’ analysis came after the announcement of a new tariff agreement between the EU and the U.S. Trump described the negotiations as "very interesting" and claimed it would be "great for both parties." He emphasized that the deal aimed to address what he called a "very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States."

Von der Leyen, on the other hand, highlighted the significance of the deal, calling it "the biggest deal each of us has ever struck." She noted that the U.S. and EU together represent the world’s largest trade volume, involving hundreds of millions of people and trillions of dollars in economic activity.

Trump was also asked about the possibility of extending the August 1 deadline for countries that had not yet reached an agreement. He declined, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reinforced this stance, stating, “No extensions, no more grace periods.” He added that “people can still talk to President Trump,” emphasizing that Trump remains open to dialogue.

Potential for Retaliation

Reports indicated that the EU was prepared to impose its own retaliatory tariffs if the deal had not been finalized. However, the successful negotiation of the agreement averted such a scenario. The outcome marked a significant moment in U.S.-EU trade relations, with both sides claiming it would benefit their economies.