For the first time in the history of the United States, a president-elect is set to welcome foreign dignitaries during the inauguration, which is a significant element of American political tradition—the peaceful transfer of power. President-elect Donald Trump has extended invitations to leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, Xi has opted to send his vice president as his representative for the occasion.

This marks a departure from past inaugurations, as no other heads of state have visited the U.S. for such an event. Nonetheless, leaders like Milei and the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, participated as special attendees at the Hispanic Inaugural Ball, where Trump’s selected Cabinet members, including U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, who is set to lead the State Department, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated for the Health and Human Services Department, were also present.

Here’s a closer look at the international figures attending the 60th inauguration:

**China**
Chinese President Xi Jinping made headlines as the first foreign leader whose invitation was noted in December, but he has chosen not to attend personally. Instead, Vice President Han Zheng will represent him. The announcement from China’s foreign ministry about Han’s attendance came on the heels of growing tensions between the U.S. and China under Trump, especially as several of his Cabinet selections are known for their hardline stances on China. Rubio has previously identified China as a significant threat to U.S. interests. Trump and Xi held a phone conversation recently where they discussed key topics like trade and fentanyl, with Trump characterizing the call as productive.

**Argentina**
Milei, who is known for his controversial economic reforms in Argentina, was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after the November 5 election, making a trip from Buenos Aires to see the president-elect at his Mar-a-Lago estate. He is expected to participate in the presidential inauguration ceremony and one of the inaugural balls. Describing himself as an “anarcho-capitalist,” Milei has implemented rigorous economic changes that have drawn the attention of figures like Elon Musk, who praised his austerity measures. Milei hopes that strengthening relations with the U.S. can facilitate a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund for Argentina.

**Italy**
Meloni, who recently visited Mar-a-Lago, is also confirmed to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Despite maintaining a somewhat cordial relationship with Democratic President Joe Biden, she is anticipated to align more closely with Trump. Considered a key interlocutor between the United States and Europe, her attendance is symbolic of her strategic importance.

**Georgia**
Former Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili is invited to the ceremony as a guest of U.S. Representative Joe Wilson. While her nation has faced significant unrest over a contested parliamentary election, she asserts her legitimacy as the leader despite the inauguration of a rival president whose party has drawn accusations of authoritarianism. Zourabichvili has articulated that Georgia could be either a major success or a significant challenge for the U.S. due to ongoing Russian influence in the region.

**France**
French President Emmanuel Macron is not expected to attend the inauguration; however, several far-right political figures from France have announced their plans to be present. Eric Zemmour, a conservative politician with a controversial history, along with Marion Maréchal, a rising star in French politics, will represent the right-wing sentiments from France at the event.

**Additional Guests**
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa and Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña confirmed their attendance. Peña, known for his conservative economic views, expressed hope for enhanced U.S.-Latin American relations. Taiwan arranged for legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu and others to attend as well, although they have opted out of the indoor ceremony due to the winter weather conditions. Although there may not be direct meetings with Trump, Taiwan’s delegation plans on solidifying U.S.-Taiwan ties through discussions with policymakers.

On a recent call with Xi, Trump was urged to handle the Taiwan issue carefully, emphasizing its significance to China’s sovereignty. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has expressed intentions to incorporate the island by force if necessary.