Bangladesh, May 29 -- French President Emmanuel Macrons recent trip to Vietnam was supposed to be a meticulously choreographed diplomatic performance – a showcase of French soft power and economic clout in the Indo-Pacific. A €9 billion Airbus order, renewed defense talks, and strategic cooperation against Chinas growing influence were all on the table. But instead of headlines focused on commerce and geopolitics, the world found itself transfixed by what looked like a surreal piece of physical comedy between the president and his wife, Brigitte Macron, at the top of the airplane stairs.

As the hatch opened, the cameras were already rolling, ready to capture the usual stately deplaning footage. Instead, they caught something ...