12-12-2024 (WASHINGTON) President-elect Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his January inauguration ceremony, marking what could be the first-ever attendance of a foreign head of state at a US presidential swearing-in, according to multiple sources close to the transition team.
The invitation, reportedly issued shortly after Trump’s election victory in November, represents a significant departure from historical precedent. Since record-keeping began in 1874, no foreign leader has attended a US presidential power transfer ceremony, though diplomatic representatives are typically present.
The potential presence of President Xi at the Capitol would come amid complex Sino-American relations, particularly as Trump’s designated Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz maintain notably hawkish stances towards Beijing. Adding to the diplomatic intrigue, a looming 19th January deadline regarding Chinese-owned TikTok’s future in the American market hovers over proceedings.
Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, following his recent Mar-a-Lago visit, is reportedly weighing attendance at the ceremony. Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt emphasised the global interest, stating, “World leaders are queuing to meet President Trump, recognising his imminent return to power and commitment to establishing peace through American strength globally.”
The president-elect’s post-election period has witnessed a parade of international leaders to his Florida residence, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Argentina’s President Javier Milei. Trump’s recent appearance at Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral reopening alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Britain’s Prince William further underscores his established position on the world stage.
This stark contrast with Trump’s 2017 inauguration, when he was relatively unknown internationally, reflects his evolution into a familiar figure in global politics.
