Chinese President Xi Jinping has reportedly turned down an invitation from Donald Trump to make a historic appearance at the upcoming presidential inauguration next month.
The refusal, as reported by CBS News, is a setback to the president-elect’s plans for an extraordinary swearing-in ceremony on January 20, marking his return to the White House. Trump had hoped to create a global event by inviting foreign leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentinean President Javier Milei, and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.
According to State Department records, no foreign head of state has ever attended a U.S. presidential inauguration. Trump’s outreach to Xi followed his victory in the 2024 presidential election. However, Xi’s decision to decline the invitation has not been explained.
“This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just allies but our adversaries and our competitors, too,” his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Thursday.
Despite Trump’s assertions of having a good relationship with the Chinese leader, his second term begins with concerns over potential economic tensions. During the presidential campaign, Trump proposed punitive tariffs on Chinese goods, fueling fears of a trade war.
In response, China is reportedly considering its own retaliatory tariffs, aiming to preempt Trump’s actions and push him toward negotiations.
The development highlights the delicate balance between fostering international dialogue and addressing competitive dynamics with major global powers like China.
