Dec 12, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Trump invites China's Xi to inauguration ceremony

April Rubin

Trump and Xi with people waving American and Chinese flags. — President-elect Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping greet attendees waving American and Chinese national flags during a welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, in November 2017. Photo: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

President-elect Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration ceremony, incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday.

Why it matters: Trump's outreach comes after he threatened imposing major tariffs on the country and tapped a bevy of China hawks to join his incoming administration.

Xi's RSVP was "to be determined," Leavitt said on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" on Thursday morning.

Zoom in: Leavitt said Trump is following the precedent of inviting foreign leaders to the inauguration.

"This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies but our adversaries and our competitors, too," she said.

Context: Trump in November said he would impose additional tariffs on China, 10% "above any additional tariffs."

He selected China critics for his incoming administration, including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla) as secretary of state, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as UN ambassador and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) as national security adviser.

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Trump invites China's Xi to inauguration ceremony

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