U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has extended an official invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2025, CBS News reported Wednesday. The invitation, sent in early November after Trump’s election victory, is part of efforts to include key foreign dignitaries at the high-profile event.
While the invitation marks a significant diplomatic gesture, it remains unclear whether President Xi will attend, given the current state of U.S.-China relations. Tensions between the two countries have been escalating in recent months, with Trump ramping up pressure on China through trade policies and national security concerns.
Trump’s team has suggested that other world leaders may also attend the ceremony, highlighting the global interest in the new administration. “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,” said Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team.
This invitation comes amid rising economic and geopolitical tensions. Trump has recently threatened to impose higher tariffs on Chinese goods, reigniting trade disputes that have plagued U.S.-China relations for years. Additionally, the U.S. government has set a January 19 deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of the social media platform TikTok, to divest its American operations or face a nationwide ban.
