President-elect Donald Trump’s invitation to Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the Jan. 20 inauguration is expected to be declined, with experts citing diplomatic concerns and rising tensions between the two nations.
Danny Russel, a former U.S. diplomat, said Xi would avoid being seen as a mere guest celebrating Trump’s victory. “Xi attending Trump’s inauguration would be diplomatically risky and politically unnecessary,” Russel explained.
Trump’s return to the White House is expected to escalate U.S.-China tensions. His appointment of Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Mike Waltz, both known for their tough stances on China, signals a confrontational approach.
Yun Sun of the Stimson Center highlighted Taiwan as a significant obstacle. The attendance of Taiwan’s U.S. representative at Biden’s 2021 inauguration was seen as a provocation by Beijing. A similar situation could complicate Xi’s decision to attend.
Beijing has indicated readiness to counter U.S. policies it deems unfriendly, including Trump’s threats of steep tariffs on Chinese goods. Analysts argue that Xi would not want to risk appearing conciliatory at such a politically charged event.
While Xi is unlikely to attend, experts believe Trump will seek a meeting with the Chinese leader early in his presidency. Such discussions are expected to shape the course of U.S.-China relations in the years ahead.
