President-elect Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration scheduled for next month, as confirmed by Trump’s incoming press secretary on Thursday. This invitation is notable not only due to Trump’s often confrontational approach towards China but also because it marks a departure from the historical norm where foreign leaders have not attended U.S. presidential inaugurations.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s spokeswoman, discussed the invitation on “Fox and Friends,” emphasizing that it reflects President Trump’s intention to foster open communication with leaders from both allied and rival nations. Despite his critical remarks about China following his election, including plans to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports, Trump has expressed a favorable view of his relationship with Xi, mentioning in a recent interview that they had spoken within the week.
Whether Xi will accept the invitation to the January 20 event remains uncertain, with Leavitt stating that it is still “to be determined.” Should Xi or any other foreign leader attend, it would set a historic precedent, as records from the State Department indicate that no foreign head of state has ever participated in a U.S. presidential inauguration since the first recorded visit in 1874. While lower-ranking diplomats and ambassadors have attended, the absence of heads of state is attributed to security concerns and the large crowds typically present at such events.
This situation is further complicated by the fact that Xi has not attended similar events in other countries, making the prospect of his attendance even more unusual.