President-elect Donald Trump has invited world leaders, including Argentine President Javier Milei, to his inauguration, breaking with tradition. Milei will travel to Washington, while Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s attendance is pending due to security reasons. Trump has also invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed openness towards Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, highlighting an evolving diplomatic landscape.
More world leaders have confirmed their invitations to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, with Argentine President Javier Milei disclosing his intentions to attend, marking a departure from an American tradition that typically excludes foreign heads of state from the inauguration. Milei, the first Argentine president to receive such an invitation, was notified through his spokesman, Manuel Adorni. Meanwhile, the Salvadoran ambassador to the United States reported that President Nayib Bukele has also been invited but has yet to decide on his attendance due to security considerations.
In a recent statement, Trump mentioned that he had invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed a willingness to accommodate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if he wished to attend, despite being uninvited formally. Trump did not elaborate on the full list of invited leaders, but emphasized that he has been receiving calls from heads of state regarding the inauguration.
Ambassador Milena Mayorga from El Salvador also confirmed that Bukele’s response to the invitation is still pending as safety concerns are being evaluated. Notably, Milei was the first foreign leader to meet Trump post-election at Mar-a-Lago, where they discussed potential collaborations, particularly in light of economic reforms aimed at improving relations between the United States and Argentina. Many economists are cautiously optimistic about Milei’s radical austerity measures, which they believe might stabilize Argentina’s economy while pursuing a new deal with the International Monetary Fund.
The invitation to world leaders for Trump’s inauguration represents a significant shift in U.S. political customs, which traditionally do not include foreign dignitaries at such events. The attendance of Milei demonstrates a developing diplomatic relationship between Argentina and the United States, especially given Milei’s controversial economic policies and his affinity for deregulation inspired by figures like Elon Musk. This invitation could also signify potential support for Argentina in addressing its economic distress and negotiating with international creditors, such as the International Monetary Fund.
The confirmation of invitations to world leaders, including President Milei of Argentina and possibly President Bukele of El Salvador, indicates a strategic move by President-elect Trump to strengthen diplomatic ties and engage with international counterparts. While Milei’s attendance marks a significant break from tradition, it underscores the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Latin America relations amidst Argentina’s economic challenges.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
