Collectible Rolexes, autographed gold bars… When Swiss bosses fooled Trump into limiting import duties

Good discount. This Friday, November 14, Switzerland congratulated itself for successfully convincing the United States to reduce American import duties on Swiss products. From 39% (among the highest figures imposed by Trump), it will now be that number “reduced to 15 %»announced the Swiss government on “President Trump for his constructive engagement”. In return, the Swiss company has committed to investing 200 billion dollars (172 billion euros) in the United States by the end of 2028.

This reduction is the result of negotiations between the two countries, and in particular between the Swiss Minister of Economy and the American Trade Representative, who met on Thursday in Washington. But another controversial meeting on the other side of the Alps could have a more immediate impact: the meeting that took place last week between six major Swiss companies (MSC, Rolex, Mercuria, Partners Group, MKS and Richemont) and Donald Trump in the American capital.

If the American president has the right to talk to big bosses from around the world, the gift they gave him at the end of the discussion raises questions. In addition to promises of investment in the event of tax cuts, the six representatives offered Donald Trump, according to the Swiss press, a gold Rolex watch and a “signed gold bullion”. Everyday life Click talk about a “Rolex Diplomacy” who can “violates article 322 of the Swiss Criminal Code regarding corruption of foreign agents”.

The photo shared by Senator Markwayne Mullin on X points in this direction. In one of the photos taken, we see that a “gold table clock, inspired by the Rolex Datejust”sat at the President’s desk, the newspaper reported 24 hours. “Rolex produces this type of table watch in a limited seriesSwiss media further details. Unable to be found in traditional trade, these items only circulate on collectors’ forums, where they trade for between 20,000 and 40,000 francs. (between approximately 21,700 and 43,400 euros, editor’s note).» Among our peers, Rolex has not yet “don’t want to comment on this”.

RTS reminds that diplomatic gifts cannot be refused in the United States but that all gifts worth more than 480 dollars must be declared and registered. “then returned to the national archives or future presidential library”. A rule that Donald Trump did not adhere to, recalls RTS: during his first term, the President did not declare more than 100 gifts from abroad, as revealed by the Democrats in the House of Representatives. Among the gifts were a gold golf club given by the Prime Minister of Japan, a sword given by Saudi Arabia, and a life-size portrait of Donald Trump given by El Salvador.

In May, White House tenants also accepted a Boeing 747-8 Jumbo offered by Qatar. Estimated cost of the small prize: $400 million. Donald Trump defended himself by assuring that the Department of Defense would benefit from replacing the aging presidential plane. And when you are offered a free plane, it will happen “stupid” to reject it.