For the very first time in the history of the United States, a president-elect is set to host foreign leaders during a significant political custom — the peaceful transition of power.
President-elect Donald Trump has extended invitations to notable global figures, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for his inauguration. However, Xi has opted to send his Vice President, Han Zheng, as his representative for the event.
Traditionally, no foreign heads of state have officially attended U.S. inaugurations. Among those present will be leaders like Milei and Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña, who made special appearances at a Hispanic inaugural gala held over the weekend. This gathering also showcased several nominees for key cabinet positions, such as U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, appointed to lead the State Department, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., selected to head the Health and Human Services Department.
Here’s a closer look at the international leaders arriving in Washington for the 60th inaugural ceremony.
**China**
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation to the inauguration was made public in December. Even though Xi will not be attending, he will be represented by Vice President Han Zheng. This decision was confirmed by China’s foreign ministry, highlighting the ongoing competitive dynamic between the U.S. and China, which may intensify under Trump’s leadership. Many of Trump’s cabinet selections are known for their critical stance towards China, including Rubio, who has labeled China as “the most potent, dangerous and near-peer adversary this nation has confronted.”
Trump has expressed intentions to implement tariffs and various measures focused on China. Nonetheless, the two leaders conversed via phone recently, discussing trade, fentanyl, and TikTok, with Trump noting that the call was “very good.”
**Argentina**
Milei was the initial foreign dignitary to engage with Trump post-election on November 5, making the trip from Buenos Aires to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club. He plans to attend multiple inaugural galas over that weekend, including an official ball on Inauguration Day and the swearing-in ceremony.
Milei identifies as an “anarcho-capitalist” and has garnered praise from billionaire Elon Musk, who has recently developed a closer relationship with Trump. His policies have led to substantial austerity measures in Argentina, impacting numerous government jobs and freezing public projects, wages, and pensions below inflation benchmarks. Musk will spearhead a private initiative aimed at reducing federal spending, regulations, and personnel. Furthermore, Milei is optimistic that a strong rapport with the U.S. may facilitate Argentina’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
**Italy**
Meloni is another international leader who has made a recent visit to Mar-a-Lago and is scheduled to participate in the swearing-in ceremony. She has surprisingly maintained a favorable relationship with Democratic President Joe Biden but is expected to build a stronger alliance with Trump. Meloni is perceived as an important link between European and U.S. interests.
**Georgia**
Salome Zourabichvili, the former pro-Western president of Georgia, will be a guest at the inauguration, invited by U.S. Representative Joe Wilson, R-S.C. Georgia has been plagued by protests following a disputed parliamentary election that opposition groups claim was compromised.
Zourabichvili insists she remains the legitimate leader following Mikheil Kavelashvili’s inauguration as president with a party that has been criticized for leaning towards authoritarian governance and pro-Moscow stances. She indicated to media that Georgia could present either a significant opportunity or a major challenge for the U.S. in the region, given Russia’s persistent efforts to gain control.
**France**
French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Trump recently during the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening, will not be attending the inauguration. However, several far-right figures from France are scheduled to make the trip. Eric Zemmour, a conservative politician and former talk show host, along with his partner Sarah Knafo, a member of the European Parliament, have confirmed their attendance. Zemmour has faced convictions on several occasions for inciting racial and religious hatred. Additionally, Marion Maréchal, another prominent far-right politician and member of the European Parliament, has also stated she will participate in the event.
**Other Leaders**
The offices of Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña have confirmed that they were invited to the inauguration and intend to be present.
Taiwan had initially planned to send legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu along with a delegation to Trump’s inauguration; however, following the change to an indoor venue due to cold weather, Taiwan’s representatives will not attend the ceremony. Reports state that the Taiwanese delegation still plans to engage with American political figures and think tank experts to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations, although it remains uncertain if they will meet Trump himself.
Trump has previously criticized Taiwan for relocating parts of the semiconductor industry away from the U.S., but relations did see significant improvement during his first term. In their recent phone conversation, Chinese President Xi advised Trump to exercise caution regarding Taiwan, emphasizing its significance to China’s sovereignty and territorial claims.
