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Trump appears to push ally out of his way at NATO photo-op

US President Donald Trump was filmed pushing his way to the front of a photo-op, appearing to shove the prime minister of a small European ally aside in the process.

At meeting of NATO leaders in Belgium, the American president seemed to shove Montenegro's Dusko Markovic out of his way as he forcefully made his way to the front of the pack.

The leader of the small Balkan nation looked shocked at first but stowed his reaction when he saw it was President Trump.

Trump then took pride of place as the senior partner in the transatlantic alliance, puffing out his chest as America's European allies fell in line behind him.

Montenegero Prime Minister appears shocked to find someone manhandling him.
Montenegero Prime Minister appears shocked to find someone manhandling him.
Make way for the American president.
Make way for the American president.

Video of the incident went viral and came as Trump delivered a tough message to NATO allies to dramatically increase their defence spending to ease financial burden to the United States.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer, asked about Trump moving past Markovic, said he had not seen the video but assumed the US president was moving to his designated spot.

Top Dog: President Donald Trump takes his place at the front of the pack.
Top Dog: President Donald Trump takes his place at the front of the pack.
President Trump in his assigned spot, front and centre of the NATO meeting. Source: AP
President Trump in his assigned spot, front and centre of the NATO meeting. Source: AP

The NATO mission of Montenegro, which is joining the Western military alliance against stiff opposition from Russia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The small Balkan country will formally become NATO's 29th state in June but Markovic joined the Brussels summit, Trump's first, and a ceremonial opening of the alliance's new headquarters.

During the leaders' joint photo shoot in the new building, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau encouraged his counterparts to wave for the cameras.

Some did as Trudeau requested, but Trump did not raise his arm.

Trump smiled briefly, but otherwise kept a serious expression on his face for the brief session.

Firm Franco-American grip

Diplomacy can be a white-knuckle ride at times, but French President Emmanuel Macron refused to be shaken when he found himself in an unexpected standoff with US counterpart Donald Trump on Thursday.

Former reality TV star Trump is known to make visitors flinch with a strong handshake that he often combines with a wrench of the arm to leave his victim off balance.

But Macron, France's 39-year-old political wunderkind, appeared to be ready for him when they met for lunch at the US embassy in Brussels ahead of a NATO summit.

As the world cameras watched, Macron held on tight to Trump's notorious power grip as the two men sat next to each other, the Frenchman's mouth clenched and eyes firmly fixed at the tycoon's squinted stare.

Their knuckles then appeared to turn white with their jaws clenching and faces tightening.

The moment -- finally -- broke off, and the men left the scene to enjoy a quick meal of veal fillet with Belgian chocolate mousse for dessert.