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Introducing the most awkward three-way handshake of all time

All of North America is embarrassed.

Brian Koerber

on June 29, 2016

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The entirety of North America should be incredibly embarrassed.

United States President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto just completed what may go down in history as the most awkward and powerful handshake of all time.

SEE ALSO: 15 Worst High Fives in Bro History

Via Giphy

The three leaders were hanging out at the North American Leaders’ Summit in Ottawa when they briefly paused for a handshaking photo op.

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Here it is again, just in case you feel like cringing once more.

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After Obama and Trudeau lock right hands, Trudeau then crosses to offer Nieto his lefthand. Awkward but polite, like a true Canadian.

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Unfortunately, Nieto grabbed Trudeau's left with his right, setting off what was already destined to be an clumsy shake.

In order to complete the circle and not be rude, Nieto offers Obama his left hand, but Obama knows better. He is not a man who shakes left-to-left, and opts to leave Nieto briefly hanging before releasing his right hand from Trudeau and completing a normal shake.

While some argued that this was clearly a failed Illuminati handshake, others basked in the awkwardness, releasing a fury of Twitter jokes.

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Now to be fair the three way handshake is a very difficult shake to pull off. But as Washington Examiner's T. Becket Adams points out, this is not the only awkward handshake that Obama has endured.