Trump and Xi Reconnect After 4 Years: China's Han Zheng to Attend Inauguration in Strategic Move

Trump and Xi Reconnect: Vice President Han Zheng’s Inauguration Attendance Seen as Political Response

In a noteworthy development ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in their first direct conversation since 2021. This phone call marks a significant moment in U.S.-China relations, setting the stage for upcoming diplomatic interactions. Concurrently, China’s Vice President Han Zheng will attend Trump’s inauguration in Washington as Xi’s special representative. This dual engagement highlights China’s strategic response to Trump’s outreach, balancing diplomatic respect with cautious prudence amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Historic Communication: Trump and Xi Reconnect

President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first direct phone conversation since 2021, signaling a potential thaw in the previously strained relations between the two superpowers. This dialogue comes at a critical time as Trump prepares to assume office again, with both nations facing significant economic and geopolitical challenges. The call underscores a willingness from both sides to re-establish direct communication channels, which have been limited over the past four years.

Vice President Han Zheng’s Inauguration Attendance: A Political Response

China’s decision to send Vice President Han Zheng to Trump’s inauguration is a strategic political maneuver with several key implications:

Highest-Ranking Chinese Delegate: Han Zheng’s attendance marks the highest-ranking Chinese official ever to participate in a U.S. presidential inauguration. This unprecedented move underscores China’s intent to engage diplomatically within established protocols.
Response to Trump’s Invitation: President-elect Trump personally invited President Xi Jinping to his inauguration, a departure from traditional diplomatic norms. Xi’s decision to decline and instead send Han Zheng is widely interpreted as a calculated political response, demonstrating respect without overstepping diplomatic boundaries.
Avoiding Direct Confrontation: Experts suggest that by delegating Han Zheng, China avoids the potential political risks and confrontations that Xi might face in an environment likely dominated by Trump’s anti-China allies and policymakers. This delegation allows China to honor the invitation while maintaining strategic distance.

Context of U.S.-China Diplomatic Relations

The recent interactions between the United States and China unfold against a backdrop of escalating tensions and strategic maneuvering. Key issues fueling this friction include:

Imposition of New Tariffs: President-elect Trump has pledged to implement new tariffs on Chinese goods from the outset of his second term, a move poised to exacerbate trade tensions between the two nations.
China’s Retaliatory Measures: In anticipation of U.S. tariffs, China has signaled potential retaliatory actions, including tightening controls on raw material exports and initiating antitrust probes into major tech firms like Nvidia.
Efforts to Reconnect: Despite ongoing disputes, China has been actively seeking to reestablish communication channels with Trump’s administration. Previous attempts through back channels yielded limited results, making the current high-profile engagement noteworthy.

Strategic Implications of Han Zheng’s Delegation

Vice President Han Zheng’s attendance at the inauguration serves multiple strategic purposes for China:

Maintaining Diplomatic Protocol: By sending a high-ranking official, China adheres to diplomatic norms and demonstrates respect for the U.S. political process without committing to deeper engagement that could expose it to criticism.
Balancing Respect and Prudence: Han Zheng’s presence signals China’s willingness to engage with the new U.S. administration while maintaining a degree of separation, thereby avoiding potential diplomatic faux pas in a politically charged environment.
Minimizing Political Risks: Attending in person could have placed Xi Jinping in a setting potentially hostile to China, dominated by Trump’s anti-China advisors and policymakers. Delegating Han Zheng mitigates these risks while still acknowledging the invitation.

This measured diplomatic strategy underscores Xi’s ability to navigate complex international landscapes, fostering potential avenues for dialogue while safeguarding China’s strategic interests.

Expert Opinions: Viewing the Moves as Strategic Political Gestures

The recent interactions between Trump and Xi, including the phone call and Han Zheng’s attendance, have elicited a range of expert opinions, reflecting both optimism and skepticism regarding the future of U.S.-China relations.

Supportive Perspectives

Sign of Engagement: Analysts view the phone call and Han Zheng’s attendance as positive signs of renewed engagement. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement expressing willingness to “enhance dialogue and communication” and “strengthen the China-U.S. relationship” underscores a mutual interest in stabilizing ties.
Potential for Improved Relations: The Wall Street Journal highlights that Han’s role as the most senior Chinese delegate to a U.S. inauguration signifies Beijing’s intent to engage constructively with the new administration. Scholars like Dylan Loh from Nanyang Technological University emphasize Han’s position as a trusted envoy capable of facilitating meaningful communication.

Critical Perspectives

Symbolic Gesture with Limited Impact: Some experts argue that while these diplomatic gestures are courteous, they may not translate into substantial policy changes. The Atlantic points out that entrenched issues such as trade disputes and national security concerns remain unresolved, and symbolic actions alone may not bridge these gaps.
Potential Risks of Softening Stance: Critics caution that a more conciliatory approach toward China could compromise U.S. national security interests. The Atlantic raises concerns that prioritizing corporate interests over strict security measures might ease tensions but also weaken critical defense policies.

Market and Diplomatic Repercussions

The diplomatic exchanges between Trump and Xi, underscored by Han Zheng’s attendance and their recent phone call, carry significant implications for global markets and international relations.

Market Impact

Short-Term Stability and Volatility: The initial communication may instill cautious optimism in markets sensitive to U.S.-China relations, such as technology and manufacturing sectors. However, the threat of new tariffs and retaliatory measures continues to introduce uncertainty, potentially leading to fluctuations in equity markets.
Commodity Prices: China’s potential use of raw material export restrictions, including rare earth elements, could drive up commodity prices. This scenario would benefit producers but pressure industries reliant on these materials, such as electronics and automotive sectors.

Diplomatic Relations

Continued Tensions: Despite the diplomatic gestures, core issues like trade imbalances and national security concerns remain unresolved, suggesting that tensions may persist regardless of ceremonial engagements.
Future Dialogues: The engagement opens a channel for future discussions, but substantial progress will depend on subsequent policy decisions and the willingness of both administrations to address contentious issues.

Conclusion: Strategic Political Maneuvering Amidst Tensions

The recent direct phone call between President-elect Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, coupled with China’s decision to send Vice President Han Zheng to Trump’s inauguration, represents a calculated diplomatic effort to navigate the complex landscape of U.S.-China relations. While Han Zheng’s attendance serves as a political response to Trump’s personal invitation, it does not signify a profound shift in the bilateral relationship. Instead, it reflects a strategic balance between demonstrating respect and exercising prudence in a geopolitically sensitive environment. Moving forward, the true impact of these engagements will hinge on the subsequent actions and policy decisions made by both nations in addressing their ongoing disputes and exploring avenues for cooperation.