Trump invites China’s Xi Jinping, other foreign leaders to inauguration

December 12, 2024

Jake Larsen

Full story

President-elect Donald Trump packed his inauguration guest list with world leaders to witness his swearing-in as the 47th U.S. president. China’s President Xi Jinping was among those included on Trump’s list.

The Chinese president congratulated Trump on his election victory. Xi told President Joe Biden that he would work with Trump’s team to continue fostering a sustainable relationship between the two countries.

Trump extended an inauguration invitation to Xi despite Trump’s repeated tariff threats against Beijing.

Trump’s secretary of state and national security adviser picks — Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla. — aren’t as fond of China’s leadership. Both lawmakers are longtime critics of the communist regime, which they point out is a known national security threat.

The invitation comes as the deadline for Chinese company Bytedance to sell TikTok looms. Failure to divest the platform will result in it being banned across the U.S.

Trump aims to set new standard

The president-elect’s team said it’s setting a new standard by asking foreign dignitaries to attend Trump’s inauguration next month.

Trump’s incoming White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, revealed the plans and the possibility of other leaders coming to the U.S. Capitol.

“This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies but our adversaries and our competitors too,” Leavitt told Fox News.

World leaders have visited America to meet with the incoming president. In November, Argentinian President Javier Milei and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

In December, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited Trump. The far-right leader received an invitation to the Jan. 20 ceremony.

Leavitt said Xi’s attendance is to be determined. It’s unclear if any other foreign leaders accepted the invitation.

According to U.S. Department of State records, no foreign leaders attended a presidential inauguration in the past.

Tags: China, Donald Trump, Washington DC, Xi Jinping

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Full story

Trump extended an inauguration invitation to Xi despite Trump’s repeated tariff threats against Beijing.

The invitation comes as the deadline for Chinese company Bytedance to sell TikTok looms. Failure to divest the platform will result in it being banned across the U.S.

Trump aims to set new standard

The president-elect’s team said it’s setting a new standard by asking foreign dignitaries to attend Trump’s inauguration next month.

Trump’s incoming White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, revealed the plans and the possibility of other leaders coming to the U.S. Capitol.

“This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies but our adversaries and our competitors too,” Leavitt told Fox News.

In December, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited Trump. The far-right leader received an invitation to the Jan. 20 ceremony.

Leavitt said Xi’s attendance is to be determined. It’s unclear if any other foreign leaders accepted the invitation.

According to U.S. Department of State records, no foreign leaders attended a presidential inauguration in the past.