For teh first time in U.S. history, a president-elect has extended invitations to foreign leaders to witness one of the nation’s most cherished political traditions — the peaceful transfer of power. President-elect donald Trump has invited prominent global figures,including chinese President Xi Jinping,Argentine President Javier Milei,and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni,to his inauguration. While Xi Jinping will not attend in person, he has sent Vice President Han Zheng as his representative, marking a important diplomatic gesture.
This unprecedented move underscores the evolving dynamics of international relations under the Trump governance.Historically, no foreign heads of state have officially attended a U.S. inauguration, making this event a groundbreaking moment in American political history. the presence of these leaders highlights the global meaning of the inauguration and the potential for renewed diplomatic engagements.
A Global Gathering in Washington
Table of Contents
- A Global Gathering in Washington
- China’s Diplomatic Gesture
- Argentina’s Milei: A Key Ally
- Italy’s Meloni: A Conservative Voice
- Key Foreign Leaders attending the Inauguration
- A Historic Moment
- Georgia’s Political Turmoil: A Test for U.S. influence in the Region
- France’s Far-Right Figures to Attend U.S. Inauguration
- Italy’s Meloni: A Key Interlocutor Between Europe and the U.S.
- Summary Table: Key Figures and Their roles
- Conclusion
- who else?
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The inauguration festivities have already begun, with several foreign leaders making appearances at key events.Milei and Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña were special guests at the Hispanic Inaugural Ball on Saturday night. The event also featured appearances by Trump’s nominees for key Cabinet positions,including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, tapped to led the State Department, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,chosen to head the Health and Human Services Department.
China’s Diplomatic Gesture
Chinese President Xi Jinping was the first foreign leader to receive a public invitation to the inauguration in December. While Xi will not attend, the decision to send Vice President han Zheng reflects the complex relationship between the U.S. and China. The announcement,made by China’s foreign ministry,comes amid escalating tensions between the two nations. Trump’s Cabinet picks, including Rubio, who has labeled China as “the most potent, dangerous and near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted,” signal a possibly tougher stance on China.Despite these tensions, Trump and Xi held a phone conversation on Friday, discussing trade, fentanyl, and TikTok. Trump described the call as a “very good one,” hinting at possible areas of cooperation. Though, Trump has also vowed to impose tariffs and other measures on China, setting the stage for a challenging diplomatic relationship.
Argentina’s Milei: A Key Ally
Javier Milei, the self-described “anarcho-capitalist” and President of Argentina, was the first foreign leader to meet with Trump after the November 5 election. Milei traveled from Buenos Aires to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, solidifying their alliance. He is scheduled to attend one of the official inaugural balls and the swearing-in ceremony,underscoring his close ties with the incoming administration.
Italy’s Meloni: A Conservative Voice
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, known for her conservative policies, is also among the foreign leaders invited to the inauguration. Her presence highlights the alignment of political ideologies between Trump and like-minded leaders across the globe.
Key Foreign Leaders attending the Inauguration
| Country | Leader | Representative | Key Details |
|—————|———————–|————————–|———————————————————————————|
| china | Xi Jinping | Vice President Han Zheng | First foreign leader invited; sent VP due to escalating U.S.-China tensions. |
| Argentina | Javier Milei | N/A | First foreign leader to meet Trump post-election; attending inaugural events. |
| Italy | Giorgia Meloni | N/A | Conservative leader aligning with Trump’s policies. |
| Paraguay | Santiago Peña | N/A | Special guest at the Hispanic Inaugural Ball. |
A Historic Moment
The 60th inauguration of the U.S. president is shaping up to be a historic event, not just for Americans but for the global community. The presence of foreign leaders signals a new era of international engagement under the Trump administration. As the world watches, the inauguration will serve as a platform for both celebration and diplomacy, setting the tone for the next four years.
For more updates on the inauguration and its global implications, stay tuned to our live coverage.
Georgia’s Political Turmoil: A Test for U.S. influence in the Region
Georgia, a former Soviet republic, is at a crossroads as it grapples with political instability and accusations of authoritarianism following the inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili as president late last month. Kavelashvili’s party, which critics claim is increasingly authoritarian and pro-Moscow, has denied these allegations. Meanwhile, former President Salome zourabichvili, a pro-Western figure, has maintained her legitimacy and warned of Russia’s persistent attempts to dominate the region.
Zourabichvili, who will attend the U.S.presidential inauguration as a guest of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., told Fox News that Georgia could be “the big success for America or the big problem for America” in the region as “Russia is always trying to dominate.” Her remarks underscore the geopolitical significance of Georgia, which has been a focal point of U.S.-Russia tensions since its independence.The country has been wracked by protests following a parliamentary election that opposition groups alleged was rigged. Zourabichvili’s continued presence on the political stage highlights the deep divisions within Georgia’s political landscape. While Kavelashvili’s party denies accusations of authoritarianism and pro-Russian leanings,critics argue that the new administration’s policies could shift the country closer to Moscow,undermining its pro-Western trajectory.
France’s Far-Right Figures to Attend U.S. Inauguration
while French President Emmanuel Macron will not attend the U.S. presidential inauguration, several far-right figures from France have confirmed their presence. Eric Zemmour, a controversial talk show pundit turned conservative politician, and his partner, Sarah Knafo, a member of the European Parliament, are among those traveling for the event. Zemmour, who has been convicted multiple times of inciting racist or religious hatred, remains a polarizing figure in French politics.
Prominent far-right politician Marion Maréchal, a member of the European parliament and niece of Marine Le Pen, also announced her attendance. These figures’ presence at the inauguration underscores the growing ties between far-right movements in Europe and the U.S., reflecting a broader trend of political alignment on issues such as nationalism and immigration.
Italy’s Meloni: A Key Interlocutor Between Europe and the U.S.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who recently visited Mar-a-Lago, is another European leader attending the U.S. presidential inauguration. Despite maintaining unexpectedly good relations with Democratic President joe biden, Meloni is expected to form a more natural alliance with the incoming administration.
Meloni, considered a key interlocutor between Europe and the U.S., has positioned herself as a bridge between the two continents. her attendance at the inauguration signals Italy’s commitment to strengthening transatlantic ties, even as political dynamics shift in both regions.
Summary Table: Key Figures and Their roles
| Country | Figure | Role | Key Details |
|————-|————————–|————————————————————————–|———————————————————————————|
| Georgia | Mikheil Kavelashvili | Newly inaugurated president | Accused of authoritarianism and pro-Russian leanings; denies allegations. |
| Georgia | Salome Zourabichvili | Former president | Pro-Western; warns of Russian dominance in the region. |
| France | Eric zemmour | Far-right politician | Convicted of inciting racist or religious hatred; attending inauguration. |
| France | Marion Maréchal | Far-right politician | Member of the European Parliament; attending inauguration. |
| Italy | Giorgia Meloni | Prime Minister | key interlocutor between Europe and the U.S.; attending inauguration. |
Conclusion
As Georgia navigates its political challenges,the U.S. faces a critical test of its influence in the region. Simultaneously occurring, the attendance of far-right figures from France and Italy’s Meloni at the U.S. inauguration highlights the evolving political alliances shaping transatlantic relations. The coming months will reveal whether georgia becomes a success story for American diplomacy or a new flashpoint in the ongoing struggle for influence in Eastern Europe. leading conservative figure in France eyeing the 2027 presidential election.
who else?
The offices of Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña have said they were invited to the inauguration and planned to attend.
Peña, a conservative economist turned politician, praised Trump’s agenda and said at the Hispanic ball that he hoped for deeper ties between U.S. and Latin America.
Taiwan sent legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu and seven others to Washington for trump’s inauguration, but Taiwan’s foreign ministry said its delegates would not attend the ceremony now that it has been moved indoors because of cold weather.
Taiwan’s official Central News Agency, citing Taiwan’s foreign ministry, also reported that the delegates would meet American politicians and think tank scholars to cement Taiwan-U.S. relations. It’s unclear if they will meet Trump.
Trump has criticized Taiwan for pulling some of the semiconductor industry from the U.S., but U.S.-Taiwan relations also significantly improved during his first term.
On a phone call Friday between Trump and Xi, the Chinese president urged the incoming U.S.leader to approach the Taiwan issue “with prudence” because it is about China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.Beijing claims the self-governed island as Chinese territory and vows to annex it by force if necessary.
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Associated Press writers Matt Brown and Didi Tang in washington, Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Nicole Winfield in rome contributed to this report
