Xi Jinping to Skip Trump Inauguration, Sources Reveal

Despite an invitation from Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping is not anticipated to attend the upcoming U.S. presidential inauguration, signaling ongoing tensions in U.S.-China relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is poised to miss the upcoming U.S. presidential inauguration despite receiving an invitation from President Donald Trump, as confirmed by two sources familiar with the situation. Instead, China's ambassador to the U.S. is expected to represent Beijing, alongside other officials, according to CBS News. This invitation is notable since no foreign leaders have historically attended a U.S. presidential inauguration.

Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, emphasized this invitation illustrates Trump’s intent to foster open dialogues with both allies and adversaries alike. Throughout his campaign, Trump has had a fluctuating relationship with Xi, appreciating his leadership style while simultaneously positioning himself against China through proposed increases in tariffs on imported Chinese products come January.

In a recent podcast, Trump referred to Xi as a “brilliant guy,” albeit with a firm grip on the nation of 1.4 billion. Trump's selection of cabinet members leans towards critics of the Chinese government. Notably, Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio has faced sanctions from China, which include a travel ban. National security adviser Mike Waltz has also voiced the need to prioritize countering the Chinese Communist Party amid global conflicts.

Recent developments, attributed to U.S. intelligence agencies, reveal China’s involvement in a significant hacking operation targeting eight major U.S. telecommunications firms, allegedly compromising data on millions of Americans.

Since his re-election, Trump has had discussions with various foreign leaders, including Canada's Justin Trudeau, Argentina's Javier Milei, and France's Emmanuel Macron, who extended an invitation for Trump to attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

While it is customary for diplomats and ambassadors to attend presidential inaugurations, historical U.S. State Department records indicate that the attendance of a foreign leader at such events is unprecedented. Leavitt noted that additional foreign leaders have also received invitations to the inauguration set for January 20 in Washington D.C., though she did not disclose specific names. Both Chinese officials and the Trump transition team have been approached for comments regarding this development.