Japan’s Prime Minister delivered a “masterclass” on how to handle President Donald Trump and she may have taken inspiration from the “Iron Lady” herself, former British PM Margaret Thatcher, according to a body language expert.

Sanae Takaichi met with the president at the White House on Thursday, following Trump’s rebuffed appeals for U.S. allies to assist in protecting the Strait of Hormuz. During the encounter, body language expert Judi James says Takaichi employed soft power and authority.

“Any other world leaders wanting to know how to handle Trump might like to watch this meeting between the presidents of the U.S. and Japan,” James said. “Takaichi’s body language key poses belie her strong character, her sense of humour, and her ability to take control.”

James observed Takaichi’s “very demure pose” as she sat opposite the president, her hands folded across one leg, whilst Trump spoke. During the meeting, Trump called Takaichi a “popular, powerful, great woman.

“It’s Takaichi’s ability to then dominate the meeting in a way no other world leaders have that is so telling, showing Trump’s alpha body language techniques don’t always need to be challenged with a matching display of silverback posturing,” said James, noting that Trump extended his hand out for a shake in what should be a power grip.

“But Takaichi takes control quietly, politely but firmly here in a similar non-verbal style as Margaret Thatcher back in the day.”

Another display of authority by Takaichi was her deployment of an interpreter, compelling Trump to hear her twice, James noted.

Taikaichi speaks English and is recognised for using it in diplomatic contexts. She served as a congressional aide for then-Colorado Rep. Pat Schroeder in the late 1980s.

“During the translation, Takaichi adopts a pose of soft power and strong authority, smiling at Trump but also pinning him with prolonged eye contact,” said James, noting that the prime minister delivers robust and succinct points, frequently addressing the president as “Donald,” to render him “a little more junior than usual.”

According to James, “The constant pause for translations seems to act as a circuit breaker for the kind of more dramatic deliveries Trump tends to specialize in, and it adds a more measured and thoughtful tone to the meeting.”

Takaichi appeared unsettled after Trump made an inappropriate joke about Pearl Harbor, prompting the prime minister to keep glancing at her watch.

“Japan and the U.S. are very good friends, but one question – why didn’t you tell U.S. allies in Europe and Asia, like Japan, about the war before attacking Iran?” a reporter asked Trump in the Oval Office. “We are very confused, we Japanese citizens.

“One thing – you don’t want to signal too much, you know?” Trump answered. “When we go in, we went in very hard, and we didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise.”

That’s when he made the startling joke: “Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?”

Takaichi raised her eyebrows following the joke, and repeatedly glanced at her watch after the atmosphere turned awkward.