Chinese President Xi Jinping is not expected to attend Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, despite receiving a personal invitation from the president-elect shortly after Election Day. According to sources cited by CBS News, China’s ambassador to the U.S. and his spouse will represent Beijing at the January 20 ceremony, adhering to standard diplomatic protocol. Additional Chinese officials may also join the delegation.
This decision marks a continuation of tradition, as no Chinese head of state has ever attended an American presidential inauguration, per State Department records. Both the Chinese embassy and Trump’s transition team declined to comment on the matter.
Trump Extends Olive Branch Amid Contentious Relations
Trump’s invitation to Xi is particularly notable given his recent remarks about imposing sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods—up to 60 percent—as a countermeasure against what he described as the influx of “massive amounts of drugs” into the U.S. Trump has also suggested placing limits on Chinese ownership of American land and resources, further straining U.S.-China relations.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump’s incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the invitation as a move to foster dialogue with both allies and adversaries. “It’s an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies, but our adversaries and competitors too,” Leavitt stated.
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In a break from tradition, Trump is reportedly considering inviting other world leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to his inauguration.
A Complex Relationship
Despite Xi’s expected absence, Trump has struck an optimistic tone about U.S.-China relations. Speaking to CNBC, Trump said, “We’ve been talking and discussing with President Xi some things,” though he declined to elaborate. This comes against the backdrop of a tumultuous relationship between the two leaders, highlighted by a trade war initiated during Trump’s first term that imposed tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of goods.
Xi, for his part, has advocated for a cooperative approach. In a letter to the U.S.-China Business Council, he urged for “dialogue over confrontation” and “win-win cooperation over a zero-sum game.” In a recent speech, Xi warned that “there will be no winners in tariff wars, trade wars, [or] technology wars.”
Signals from Beijing
While Xi’s decision not to attend Trump’s inauguration may seem like a snub, it aligns with diplomatic precedent. Nonetheless, Beijing has signaled a willingness to work with the incoming administration. Reports suggest China is open to cooperating on contentious issues, including Trump’s proposed immigration policies.
As the January 20 inauguration approaches, Trump’s outreach to global leaders, including those with whom he has had fraught relations, highlights his intention to navigate a complex geopolitical landscape. Whether this strategy will yield constructive dialogue or exacerbate existing tensions remains to be seen.
Featured image via screengrab
