U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's decision to invite Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration while excluding Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has stirred discussions about his foreign policy approach. The inauguration, scheduled for Monday, will see the attendance of several global leaders, but Marcos Jnr will not be among them. Instead, his envoy to Washington, Jose Manuel Romualdez, who is also his cousin, will represent the Philippines. This move has raised questions about Trump's diplomatic priorities and intentions.
Harry Roque, former spokesman for ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, commented on Trump's decision, suggesting that the lack of invitation to Marcos Jnr indicates his perceived insignificance to Trump. Roque articulated his stance on social media, noting that the non-invitation sends a clear message regarding Trump's views on the Philippines' importance in U.S. foreign policy.
"Of course, the non-invitation to Junior signifies that he’s not too important to Trump."
- Harry Roque
The exclusion of Marcos Jnr from the inauguration has fueled speculation and debate in Manila, a city known for its vibrant political discourse and social media buzz. The decision comes amid Roque's own legal troubles, as he has been evading authorities since September for not attending an inquiry led by Marcos Jnr's congressional allies. These allies are investigating Roque's alleged involvement in illegal online gambling activities.
Despite the swirling rumors and discussions, the presidential palace has remained silent regarding Roque's claims that Trump's invitation list serves as a diplomatic snub. This silence leaves room for further conjecture about the implications of Trump's foreign policy decisions.
Trump's invitation to Xi Jinping has been interpreted by some analysts as a signal of his willingness to restore amiable relations with China. This potential shift in U.S.-China relations could have far-reaching implications for international diplomacy and economic partnerships.
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