It has been reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping has turned down an invitation from Donald Trump for a groundbreaking guest appearance at next month’s presidential inauguration.
This dismissal, as mentioned by CBS News, is likely to be a setback for the president-elect and his ambitions for a grand swearing-in ceremony on January 20, marking his return to the White House.
According to records from the State Department, a foreign leader has never been present at a U.S. inauguration. However, Trump has also extended invitations to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentine President Javier Milei, and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, aiming to transform the event into a worldwide occasion.
No reason has been provided for Xi’s choice not to visit Washington. The invitation was extended shortly after Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election.
“This illustrates President Trump’s effort to foster an open dialogue with leaders of nations that are not only allies but also adversaries and competitors,” his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated in a Thursday interview with Fox News.
Despite Trump’s assertions of having a positive rapport with the Chinese leader, his presidency commences amid apprehensions of a potential trade conflict with Beijing due to punitive tariffs proposed throughout the campaign.
Reportedly, China is contemplating the implementation of its own tariffs to preempt Trump and compel him into negotiations.
Additionally, U.S. intelligence has disclosed a hacking incident associated with China, targeting eight significant U.S. telecom companies. Marco Rubio, Trump’s choice for secretary of state, described it as “an egregious, outrageous and dangerous breach of our telecommunications systems across multiple companies.”
China’s ambassador to the U.S. is anticipated to attend the inauguration along with his spouse, and CBS mentioned that more officials might become part of their group.
It is customary for the bipartisan Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and the State Department to engage and invite each nation’s chief of mission.
“A global stage is what Trump desires for the inauguration. He is immensely eager to have world leaders present,” a Trump adviser communicated to CNN.
On Thursday, the incoming president remained optimistic, stating: “I’ve invited a plethora of exceptional individuals, and they’ve all accepted. Everyone I’ve reached out to has agreed to attend.”