His address coincides with mounting trade tensions between the U.S. and China. On his first day back in office, Trump pledged to impose an additional 10% tariff on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China through an executive order. He has also been vocal about recalibrating international trade agreements.
In the aftermath of this announcement, Trump described his discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as "productive," as Trudeau met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Although tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated since Trump first assumed office in 2017, the president-elect invited Xi to attend his upcoming inauguration. The gesture sparked mixed reactions, with many analysts suggesting that Xi would decline the invitation.