President-elect Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration on January 20, 2025, amidst ongoing trade tensions between the US and China. This would mark the first time a foreign leader has attended an American presidential inauguration.
While Trump’s transition team, represented by spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, emphasized the invitation as an effort to foster open dialogue with both allies and adversaries, it remains unclear if Xi will accept. The invitation was reportedly sent shortly after Trump’s election victory in early November.
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“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,” Leavitt said in a statement.
Despite the outreach to Xi, Trump has promised a tougher stance on China, including the imposition of a 10% tariff on Chinese goods unless Beijing addresses issues such as fentanyl trafficking. The Chinese embassy has not commented on the invitation, and there are no indications yet of Xi’s response.
Other world leaders, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, have also been invited and are considering attendance.
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