Trump’s Inauguration Will Be First Attended by Foreign Leaders
For the first time in U.S. history, a president-elect will welcome foreign leaders for one of the most significant American political traditions – the peaceful transfer of power. President-elect Donald Trump has extended invitations to several global leaders, marking a landmark moment in American political history.
Among those invited is Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will not attend himself but is sending Vice President Han Zheng to represent him. Other conservative world leaders expected to join the ceremony include Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. This is a historic occasion, as no heads of state have officially attended a U.S. presidential inauguration in the past.
Some of these leaders, including Milei and Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña, were special guests at a Hispanic inaugural ball held prior to the inauguration. Notable figures attending included U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, selected to lead the State Department, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appointed to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
Foreign Leaders Attending the Inauguration
China
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation to the inauguration became public in December. With Xi unable to attend, Vice President Han Zheng will take his place. This decision comes during a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, as Trump plans to implement tariffs and other measures affecting Chinese trade. Nevertheless, the two leaders recently engaged in a productive phone call discussing various topics, including trade and technology.
Argentina
Argentine President Javier Milei was the first foreign leader to meet with Trump following the election. He flew from Buenos Aires to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss future relations. Milei, who identifies as an “anarcho-capitalist,” has implemented extensive austerity measures in Argentina and seeks to establish strong ties with the U.S. to negotiate a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
Italy
Premier Giorgia Meloni has also made a recent visit to Mar-a-Lago and will attend the inauguration. While maintaining a good rapport with the previous Democratic administration, Meloni is expected to align more closely with Trump in the future, acting as a vital bridge between Europe and the U.S.
Georgia
Former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili will also be present at the inauguration as a guest of U.S. Representative Joe Wilson. Amid ongoing protests in Georgia against perceived electoral fraud, Zourabichvili insists on her legitimacy as a leader and emphasizes the importance of U.S. support in the region, particularly against Russian influence.
France
Although French President Emmanuel Macron will not be attending, certain prominent far-right figures from France have confirmed their presence. Politician Eric Zemmour and fellow party member Sarah Knafo are among those traveling to Washington, bringing attention to the rising tide of conservative politics in Europe.
Other Nations
The offices of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña have also announced their plans to attend the inauguration. Furthermore, Taiwanese officials initially intended to participate but have opted out of the formal events due to weather conditions. Instead, they will meet with American politicians and scholars to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations.
Recent communication between Trump and Xi has highlighted the delicate nature of the Taiwan issue, with China asserting its claim over the self-governing island. The ongoing dynamics remain complex, affected by previous U.S. foreign policy and recent discussions on trade and technology.
As the inauguration approaches, the presence of these foreign leaders signifies not only the implications of Trump’s administration but also a shift in international relations that will be closely watched around the world.
