Trump invites China’s Xi to inauguration despite threat of tariffs on Beijing

President-elect Donald Trump (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool via AP)

President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese president Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month — extending a diplomatic olive branch even as he threatens to levy massive tariffs on Chinese goods.

Mr Trump’s incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on Thursday that he invited Mr Xi, but said it was “to be determined” if the leader of the United States’ most significant economic and military competitor would attend.