In a bold move signalling his signature approach to diplomacy, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month.
This gesture is part of Trump's ongoing efforts to foster “open dialogue” with both allies and adversaries, a hallmark of his unconventional diplomatic style.
The invitation to Xi, a leader Trump had frequently criticised throughout his presidential campaign and beyond, represents a continuation of his maverick diplomacy.
Trump had previously reached out to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in an attempt to ease tensions, which generated mixed reactions both domestically and internationally.
Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, emphasised that the invitation to Xi was in line with the president-elect’s broader diplomatic approach, which is not limited to engaging with allies but also extends to competitors and adversaries.
In an interview with Fox News, Leavitt highlighted that Trump’s willingness to engage with adversarial nations, while often controversial, had proven beneficial in the past.
"He had done this in his first term and he got a lot of criticism for it, but it led to peace around the world," she remarked, pointing to the potential benefits of dialogue over confrontation.
Trump’s approach, she argued, prioritises America’s interests but does not shy away from the possibility of taking calculated risks to achieve long-term peace and cooperation.
Despite the somewhat surprising nature of the invitation, Trump himself remained non-committal about the potential outcomes. “Some people said, ‘Wow, that’s a little risky, isn’t it’? And I said, ‘Maybe it is. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens’,” he commented, expressing his openness to the uncertain dynamics that such diplomatic moves might provoke.
As of now, Beijing has not yet responded to the invitation, leaving the possibility of Xi's attendance up in the air. However, it is clear that Trump’s invitation comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China.
Throughout his campaign and his presidency, Trump has been vocal about his concerns over China’s trade practices, accusing the nation of unfairly benefiting from policies that disadvantage American workers.
He has also criticised China for its role in the global narcotics trade, particularly in relation to synthetic drugs like fentanyl, which have contributed to the opioid crisis in the U.S.
In light of these tensions, Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports unless the country ceases the export of materials used in the production of synthetic narcotics.
Furthermore, he has expressed dissatisfaction with China’s continued status as a “developing country” at the World Trade Organization (WTO), arguing that this designation allows China to enjoy preferential treatment in global trade that he deems unjust.
Trump’s stance on China is reflected in his appointment of David Perdue, a former U.S. senator and known China hawk, as his ambassador to Beijing.
Perdue, in a recent opinion piece, warned that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is waging a covert war against the U.S., urging Americans to recognise the growing threat posed by China’s geopolitical ambitions.
Follow us
