Donald Trump, U.S. President-elect, has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to be present for his inauguration next month, as per reports by CBS News.
In a recent interview with NBC News, Trump stated he had harmonious relations with Xi Jinping, adding that they have been in recent communication. The attendance of a Chinese leader at a U.S. Presidential inauguration would indeed mark a historically unprecedented move, given the geopolitical rivalries between the two global superpowers.
Trump’s impending administration continues to feature a number of strong critics of China, most notably Senator Marco Rubio, who is nominated for the role of Secretary of State. Further intensifying the tension, the President-elect has threatened to levy an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods unless the nation takes steps to curb the trafficking of the highly addictive drug, fentanyl. During his campaign, Trump had threatened tariffs exceeding 60% on Chinese goods.
Back in November, Chinese state media warned Trump that his commitment to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods as a result of fentanyl flows could instigate a tariff war of mutual destruction between the world’s two largest economies.
