Trump UK visit: President doesn't shake hands while meeting Theresa May

It's the second greeting during the president's trip abroad that's created a widespread reaction

Donald Trump and Theresa May did not shake hands outside Downing Street on Tuesday, prompting comment from citizens of both leaders’ nations.

Video of the president and prime minister’s meeting shows Ms May walking out alongside her husband, Philip, to meet Mr Trump, who was accompanied by his wife Melania. As they met, Mr Trump appeared to place his arms directly to his sides.

Each spouse then shook hands with their counterpart, but a would-be shake between Mr Trump and Ms May was interrupted by their respective wife and husband reaching for each other.

At the same moment, Mr Trump again placed his arms down. After a moment, the prime minister directed the couple to follow her inside.

Online, the greeting sparked comments from both countries, with many wondering if the action was a deliberate snub from the president.

It's the second greeting during Mr Trump's controversial UK trip that's caused alarm, following an earlier meeting with the queen, during which the president appeared to offer her a fist bump.

At a press conference shortly after the failed handshake, both leaders emphasised that the relationship between the US and the UK had been strong during the prime minister’s leadership, which will come to an end as soon as a successor is chosen.

“I don’t exactly know what your timing is, but stick around,” Mr Trump said of her departure.

“Let’s do this deal,” he added, referencing his promise for a “phenomenal” trade deal following Brexit.

In her own comments, the prime minister called for a “wider economic partnership” between the two countries, saying “I’ve always believed that cooperation and compromise are the basis of strong alliances and nowhere is this more true than in the special relationship."

At the same conference, Mr Trump struggled to say the word “liberation” and responded to a question about his earlier comment that Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, was a “stone cold loser.”

“I don’t think he should be criticising a representative of the United States that can do so much good for the United Kingdom,” Mr Trump told reporters. “He should be positive, not negative.”