US Pres-Elect Trump Extends Inauguration Invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping
US President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration on January 20, 2025, marking a significant shift in Trump's approach to international diplomacy. This move follows renewed communication between the two leaders, despite several contentious issues between the US and China in recent times.
Despite naming several "China hawks" to key posts, including Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, and hinting at imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, Trump has reportedly sought to maintain a positive relationship with Xi. This diplomatic balancing act is set to play out at the inauguration, where the presence of the Chinese leader could bring a sense of international normalcy to the proceedings. Relations between the US and China have been strained in recent months, particularly over issues such as trade, security, and technology, but the wooing of Xi could be a vote of support for good relations.
Chinese state media has warned that any tariffs imposed by the US could lead to a "mutually destructive tariff war," likely referring to his comments on limiting Chinese exports to the US. Nevertheless, Trump's team is optimistic that this effort towards international engagement will foster a return to peace. According to transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, "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." It seems unclear if Xi Jinping will attend the inauguration, but news of the invitation has sparked a mix of reactions from global leaders and ambassadors.
The invitation marks a break from tradition, as no foreign head of state has ever attended a US presidential inauguration, dating back to 1874. It's reported that Teddy Roosevelt rejected invitations to several foreign leaders in 1905, and the tradition has since stuck. This initiative also extends to the consideration of inviting other foreign dignitaries, such as Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Saudi King Salman.
Despite receiving this gesture of goodwill, the road ahead for the US and China remains fraught with challenges. Trump's administration has imposed a ban on Chinese firm TikTok's US presence, and similar policies lie in store, awaiting responses from the Chinese government. Diplomatic relations between the two nations are poised to be put to the test by Trump's staunch policies, but the historic gesture made by President elect Trump serves to sow seeds of dialogue that may provide smoother future relations and usher expediency towards better diplomacy for the aggrandizement of global politics.
