President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his upcoming inauguration, though it remains uncertain whether Xi will attend.
The New York Post reported that following his victory in the recent presidential race against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration in January. This gesture in early November marked the beginning of diplomatic engagements under Trump's forthcoming administration.
The Trump-Vance transition team has been tight-lipped about the potential attendance of President Xi. A spokesperson provided neither confirmation nor denial regarding Xi Jinping's plans to attend the inauguration. This has led to speculation and anticipation about the involvement of international leaders in Trump's inauguration.
The Chinese Embassy has also remained silent on the matter, not responding to inquiries about President Xi's response to the invite.
This lack of confirmation adds a layer of mystery to the international diplomatic dynamics at play as the inauguration day approaches.
It would be unprecedented in modern times for a foreign leader to attend a U.S. presidential inauguration. According to State Department records, no foreign leader has participated in this formal capacity since 1874, underscoring the rarity and significance of such an attendance.
President Trump's invitation to Xi comes at a time when he has announced intentions to implement new tariffs on China.
This move signals a robust approach to U.S.-China relations and is indicative of the potentially complex interactions that might unfold in Trump’s second term.
Simultaneously with the invitation, Trump has been vocal about his tough stance on trade with China, hinting at more stringent economic measures like tariffs. This dual approach of diplomacy intertwined with hardline policy proposals showcases Trump's multifaceted strategy towards China.
Moreover, tensions are high as the deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to either sell the app or face a ban in the U.S., looms on January 19, just one day before the inauguration. This sets a critical backdrop for the potential visit of President Xi.
In contrast, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whom Trump commended during his campaign and met recently, is contemplating attending the inauguration. This interest from Orbán, alongside Trump's invitation to Xi, illustrates the varied international interest in Trump’s return to office.
In addition to the outreach to Xi, Trump has been actively engaging with other world leaders. Recent meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, involved Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Argentinian President Javier Milei.
Trump's international diplomacy further included a visit to Paris last weekend, where he convened with French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky, and Prince William of the United Kingdom.
These meetings underline Trump's focus on reestablishing and perhaps reshaping America's international alliances.
A statement from Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition team, emphasized that “World leaders are lining up to meet with President Trump because they know he will soon return to power and restore peace through American strength around the globe."
With President Xi Jinping's attendance still in question and major policy moves on the horizon, these developments will significantly impact U.S. relations with China and the global geopolitical landscape. The anticipation of these events sets the stage for what could be a momentous commencement of President Trump's second term in office.