In a move that potentially changes inaugural traditions, President-elect Donald Trump has extended an unorthodox invitation to China’s President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration in Washington, D.C. in January.

This invitation was conveyed to Xi in early November after Trump’s election victory, marking a significant departure from the established diplomatic protocol. According to State Department records dating back to 1874, no foreign head of state has ever attended a U.S. presidential inauguration.

As of now, it is highly unlikely that Xi will attend the inauguration, and the Chinese Embassy has yet to provide an official response. Experts have suggested that Xi may decline the invitation to avoid being seen as “a mere guest celebrating the triumph of a foreign leader.”

Trump’s transition team spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, stated, “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.”

The invitation comes as Trump is readying to implement his “America First” agenda, which includes proposed tariffs against China, Canada, and Mexico. Despite these looming economic confrontations, Trump believes that personal relationships between leaders are crucial for international negotiations.

Trump’s transition headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida has been hosting world leaders in recent weeks. These included Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Argentine President Javier Milei. The president-elect met with French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William of the United Kingdom, at the Paris reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

The relationship between Trump and Xi has been a mix of cooperation and conflict. Trump’s administration initiated a trade war with China and criticized Beijing’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic during his first term. Despite this, Trump praised his personal relationship with Xi, citing their “great chemistry.”

Diplomatic protocol dictates that each country’s chief of mission to the United States will receive an invitation to the inauguration, keeping with the long-standing tradition.

The Trump transition team has assigned specific staff members to handle diplomatic protocol for the inaugural events. Sources close to the planning suggest that if Xi doesn’t attend, China’s ambassador to the United States and his spouse are expected to be present at the ceremony.