President-elect Donald Trump has extended an unprecedented invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his January inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., marking a potential historic shift in inaugural traditions.
The invitation, conveyed to Xi in early November following Trump’s election victory, represents an unorthodox departure from established diplomatic protocol. State Department records dating to 1874 indicate no foreign head of state has ever attended a U.S. presidential inauguration.
While Xi’s attendance remains uncertain, the Chinese Embassy has not provided an official response to inquiries about the president’s plans. Experts suggest Xi is unlikely to accept, citing concerns about appearing as “a mere guest celebrating the triumph of a foreign leader.”
Trump transition team spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, “World leaders are lining up to meet with President Trump because they know he will soon return to power and restore peace through American strength around the globe.”
The invitation comes as Trump prepares to implement his “America First” agenda, which includes proposed tariffs against China, Canada, and Mexico. Despite these economic tensions, Trump has maintained that personal relationships between leaders are crucial for international negotiations.
In recent weeks, Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida, transition headquarters has hosted several world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Argentine President Javier Milei. The president-elect also met with French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William of the United Kingdom, at the Paris reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The relationship between Trump and Xi has been marked by both cooperation and conflict. During Trump’s first term, his administration initiated a trade war with China and criticized Beijing’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Trump has also praised his personal rapport with Xi, noting their “great chemistry.”
While the Chinese president’s attendance remains uncertain, diplomatic protocol ensures that every country’s chief of mission to the United States will receive an invitation to the inauguration, maintaining a long-standing tradition.
The Trump transition team has designated specific staff members to manage diplomatic protocol for the inaugural festivities. Sources familiar with the planning indicate that while Xi himself may not attend, China’s ambassador to the United States and spouse are expected to be present at the ceremony.
If Xi were to accept the invitation, it would provide an early opportunity for the leaders of the world’s two largest economies to discuss various issues, including trade relations and military matters, as Trump begins his second term.
