US President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning an unprecedented inauguration ceremony on January 20, reportedly inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend, alongside a host of other foreign dignitaries. While it is customary for ambassadors and diplomats to attend U.S. presidential inaugurations,history shows that no foreign leaderhas ever participated in a transfer-of-power ceremony.

This move underscores Trumps ambitions to project his global influence and secure international cooperation. According to Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, World leaders are lining up to meet with President Trump because they know he will soon return to power and restore peace through American strength around the globe.

However, the invitation to Xi Jinping comes amid strained U.S.-China relations, largely shaped by Trump’s critical stance on China during his campaign and transition. Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs of up to 10% on Chinese goods, citing China’s failure to curb the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. I have had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular fentanyl, being sent into the United States But to no avail, Trump said, accusing Beijing of not enforcing its promises to impose strict penalties on drug traffickers.

Trumps administration has also set a January 19 deadline for the Chinese-owned company ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a nationwide ban. The U.S. government has expressed concern that TikTok collects vast amounts of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits, that could be coerced into the hands of the Chinese government. Additionally, officials warn that TikTok’s proprietary algorithm, which determines the content users see, is susceptible to manipulation by Chinese authorities. Such interference could shape the platform’s content in ways that are challenging to detect.

The European Union has echoed these concerns, citing intelligence suggesting that Russia may have exploited TikTok to influence elections in Romania.

Despite these issues, Trump appears intent on maintaining dialogue with Beijing while strengthening his relationships with other world leaders. In the weeks since Election Day, leaders from Canada, Argentina, France, and Ukraine, among others, have met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Notably, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former French President Emmanuel Macron have been among those engaging in high-level discussions with the president-elect. However, France currently faces its own challenges following a historic no-confidence vote which has left the country in a political deadlock.

Macron hosted Trump in Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, a ceremony also attended by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William. These meetings signal Trumps focus on forging alliances and establishing an international presence ahead of his inauguration.

While Trumps invitation to Xi and his plans to include foreign leaders at his inauguration are breaking norms, they reflect his signature style of mixing bold moves with calculated diplomacy.