'What the hell is happening?' Donald Trump's awkward summit handshake triggers social media meltdown

Donald Trump, nearing the end of his mammoth tour of Asia has raised a few eyebrows with comments about North Korea and surprised others by his warm embrace of China.

But one moment, caught on camera for all to see, has gone viral online.

Trump, along with various other regional leaders had gathered at the annual ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in the Philippines.

Along with leading figures from Russia, Canada and Singapore, Trump gathered on stage for their traditional handshake which sees them interlock hands as a sign of strength and unity.

And while for some more practised individuals it was a simple process, for others it created an awkward moment.

Donald Trump, with his left hand turned right to hold onto Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, he then appeared to have difficulties in manoeuvring his other hand to embrace the Philippine's President Rodrigo Duterte.

He leans over to the shorter leader trying to take his hand, before eventually, with what was described by one White House pooler as an "exaggerated grimace" on his face, completing the handshake.

The moment, last a few seconds, but soon became a viral hit on social media.

Trump has a history of bizarre handshakes including a famous three-way embrace with Emmanuel Macron of France and his wife, as well as a lengthy handshake with Japan's Shinzo Abe who appeared to be relieved when the moment was over.