Trump Invites Xi for Inauguration: Will He go?

In a surprising diplomatic move, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration on January 20. If Xi accepts, it would mark the first high-level leadership summit between the two countries since the Trump administration began in 2017.

This meeting would come amid rising geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, which have seen both countries engaged in increasingly complex economic and diplomatic standoffs. However, should the summit occur, it could offer a rare opportunity for both leaders to exchange ideas in person, potentially paving the way for improved communication between Beijing and Washington during Trump's second term.

Since taking office in 2017, Trump discontinued the Comprehensive Economic Dialogue (CED), a key platform for bilateral talks on economic issues. Despite this, under the Biden administration, there have been notable U.S. official visits to China, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, signaling a continuation of engagement between the two superpowers.

The invitation has sparked questions about whether Xi, amid his tight political schedule and the delicate nature of U.S.-China relations, will choose to attend. A face-to-face summit could offer a chance for both nations to reset or reinforce their diplomatic course, depending on the political climate and prevailing issues of the day.