A gold Rolex desk clock and a $130,000 engraved gold bar gifted to Donald Trump by Swiss billionaires are raising ethical questions in the US and Europe. The gifts coincide with Trump's reduction of tariffs on Swiss imports from 39% to 15%, prompting accusations of personalized foreign policy. Critics, including Italian MEP Pasquale Tridico and Swiss Green party president Lisa Mazzone, expressed alarm, calling the gifts an "awful" sign of corruption affecting diplomatic relations.

 

The gold items were presented to Trump in early November by Swiss business leaders, initially going unnoticed until eagle-eyed observers spotted the new clock in the Oval Office. The clock, resembling the rare Rolex Datejust style, was linked back to a delegation led by Jean-Frédéric Dufour, Rolex's head, who described it as a refined piece of Swiss craftsmanship. The gold bar, inscribed with "45" and "47," was a tribute from Marwan Shakarchi of MKS, a Swiss gold refiner.

 

Swiss media and political commentators criticized the gesture, asserting that it diminished their country's dignity. Hannes Britschgi called the gifts "undignified," while Doris Kleck remarked on Switzerland's need to ingratiate itself with Trump. Meanwhile, Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin defended the lobbying efforts, lauding the tariff cuts as a cooperative success aligned with EU standards.

 

The White House denied any connection between the gifts and policy decisions, emphasizing that tariff adjustments were based on Switzerland’s investment promises in America totaling $200 billion. A spokesperson noted that received gifts typically enter the National Archives but can be displayed during a president's tenure. Presidents can choose to keep certain gifts, albeit with potential tax implications.

 

Key Takeaways

• Gold gifts to Trump by Swiss billionaires spark ethics concerns.
• Gifts coincided with significant US tariff reductions for Switzerland.
• The White House asserts no link between gifts and policy changes.

 

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from  The Guardian  2025-11-22

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

The White House denied any connection between the gifts and policy decisions

Lol.

6 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

A spokesperson noted that received gifts typically enter the National Archives but can be displayed during a president's tenure. Presidents can choose to keep certain gifts, albeit with potential tax implications.

 

Alert : President for sale.

 

What are the odds that none of those gifts will ever enter the National Archives, and that Trump will pay any taxes on them when at the end of his term they move to Mar - a - lago?

And I thought corruption was a job solely reserved for Thais?

Any gifts given to any person who is the President of The United States of America are gifts given to the President and as such, are gifts to United States, not personal gifts, given to the person. The State Department should retain title to the gifts, and the gifts should remain property of the State, not of the person temporarily occupying a government position.

A lovely gesture. 

 

But of course haters gonna hate.

11 hours ago, JonnyF said:

A lovely gesture. 

 

But of course haters gonna hate.

What’s not to hate about such overt corruption and breach of Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution?!

 

 

 

 

23 hours ago, Banana7 said:

Any gifts given to any person who is the President of The United States of America are gifts given to the President and as such, are gifts to United States, not personal gifts, given to the person. The State Department should retain title to the gifts, and the gifts should remain property of the State, not of the person temporarily occupying a government position.

Unless it is a 747 gift and refurbished for Donald to keep if he makes it to retirement, or he actually does step down Jan 20 2029

On 11/22/2025 at 3:31 AM, stevenl said:

Lol.

Were you lolling when it was your man and Burisma? No, you were not. How is a false accusation of corruption funny while a real one doesnt even raise your eyebrow?

11 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

OK Rockefeller, if you say so.

 

 

Don't waste your time replying to that comment, just wait till Trump gets kicked out of the white house.

22 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

What’s not to hate about such overt corruption and breach of Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution?!

 

 

 

 

Cut that guy some slack. He's from one of those anachronism from the Bronze Age called monarchies, where guys are worshiped for the incredible achievement of being born. You know, like the guy who wrote to his matronly paramour, "I wish I was your Tampon".

Now if the Transylvania area of Romania was to gift him a gilded coffin, I suppose that would be okay. Or maybe somebody in Milan gift him bespoke Depends.

On 11/22/2025 at 11:53 AM, Banana7 said:

Any gifts given to any person who is the President of The United States of America are gifts given to the President and as such, are gifts to United States, not personal gifts, given to the person. The State Department should retain title to the gifts, and the gifts should remain property of the State, not of the person temporarily occupying a government position.

Therin lies the problem - will it be 'temporarily' occupying a government position?

Bickering and flame posts removed.  Keep it civil folks.  Thanks!  

1 hour ago, Alan Zweibel said:

Deflecting much?

That's not even a serious deflection. It's the usual nonsense, nobody in their right mind can claim there's no corruption in the WH. They should just man up and admit that they don't care because he's their man.

Kudos to the Swiss. They sure know how to play Trump, just a question of giving him valuable gifts, prizes and a few compliments, that's all it takes. It certainly seems appropriate that the most corrupt president in the history of the United States would be accepting any and all gifts that come his way. 

 

It shows how insincere he is about the hugely destructive tariff policies. 

Well, interesting enough is to read, who went over the moon on the issue.

Pasquale Tridico is an Italian and has absolutely nothing to do nor to say in the deal. Lisa Mazzone is, like anywhere else on the planet, a green nuisance and rose voice because she is jealous on the gift. 

Trump, like possibly every other government employee in the Western world, has to declare publicly what kind of gift he receives. The Swiss have a law on the issue as far as Swiss government employees receiving gift(s).

Anything under USD 20 could be kept. Anything above USD 20 needed to be declared and would be screened for future ownership as the law said, that anything given to a state's employee of exceeding USD 20 - by default - belongs to the state. 

The result was a most hilarious exhibition, in Switzerland's city of Thun (near the capital Bern) named "Cadeaux diplomatiques" (translating into "Diplomatic Gifts"), some 25-30 years ago. And boy, what kind of display of bad taste that was and what kind of "stuff" arrived in Switzerland as gifts to diplomats. Despite the very long time ago I vividly remember a walking stick (10 feet tall) by Kofi Annan, a rucksack by Yassir Arafat, a tiny piece of moon gravel by Nixon, a hand woven wall carpet with the portrait of the Swiss minister who was visited and a seriously tasteless set of tea crockery by Charles de Gaulle - all gifts by foreign excellencies to Swiss ministers. All that stuff was declared, entered in a catalogue and stored in the cellars of Swiss bureaucracy for years. Some trainees, many moons later, wanted to earn some holiday money and were given the task of cleaning up the chambers of gifted plenties. One of the students had this splendid idea to turn the best of the best gifts into a public exhibition. 

Leaving the exhibition hall there was a guest book for visitors to jot down their impressions. The only one I still remember after all these years was "Quel collection de mauvais goût!" - there is no better way to wrap up this fantastic idea by some students. 

Likewise, Swiss ministers visiting their colleagues beyond the hillbilly borders, came with gifts. One head of state not named here had, due to his long reign not less than five, very expensive identical table clocks living on air - handmade of course - among 18 solid gold pens and other goodies because the Helvetic goons had not recorded in full details, what kind of gift was given to who.
In another incidence the visiting party to a Middle Eastern Sheik brought along a "Neuchateloise" pendule (decorated table clock with a hand winding movement) which was boxed disassembled for transportation. The Sheik had the box opened and left the visitors with a huge loss of face as nobody had a clue how to assemble the clock. The comment of one of the traveling Swiss delegation commented in a very dry manner, that "we should have trained that beforehand at home". Truer words never spoken.

Trump does not have to follow the law as he became the law and it is yet to be seen, if and what the gifts of the Swiss pilgrims to Washington will be used for and who ultimately will legally own them. 

In closing, there are more important things like this lame attempt to grease presidential elbows to sign a declaration whereby import duties might drop - or not - all unproven facts and a poor demonstration of character by Trump who could have publicly declared these gifts as a sign of friendship by the Swiss to the American people. Or is this do-gooder and tree hugger thinking now? 

Who would begrudge the greatest politician and peacekeeper of our time receiving a few perks. from greatful admirers

32 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Who would begrudge the greatest politician and peacekeeper of our time receiving a few perks. from greatful admirers

 

A lot of people would like to give him little lead gifts.

Nauseating. 

That's sycophancy of the worst kind...disgusting.🤢

He’s very susceptible to bribes! 

If he wanted bribes , he could have one of his kids paint something

and sell it as "art". 

Worked for the Bidens.

On 11/22/2025 at 10:36 AM, CallumWK said:

 

Alert : President for sale.

 

What are the odds that none of those gifts will ever enter the National Archives, and that Trump will pay any taxes on them when at the end of his term they move to Mar - a - lago?

If you had any idea of what you're talking about then you'd know that the President doesn't get to keep the gifts, right ? You do know that ?

Your basket of "what if's" is pretty stupid

On 11/22/2025 at 10:36 AM, CallumWK said:

Alert : President for sale.

What are the odds that none of those gifts will ever enter the National Archives, and that Trump will pay any taxes on them when at the end of his term they move to Mar - a - lago?

Zero (0).  There is no fondation for your comment, other than you own Trump dislike.

2 hours ago, Slowhand225 said:

If you had any idea of what you're talking about then you'd know that the President doesn't get to keep the gifts, right ? You do know that ?

Your basket of "what if's" is pretty stupid

The caveat being that the gifts are logged. However Trump have failed in the past to report more than 100 gifts from foreign nations according to a government report. The conveniently forgotten gifts include a life size painting of Trump given by the El Salvador president and golf clubs. 

On 11/22/2025 at 11:31 AM, stevenl said:

Lol.

Worst than BIB 😞 

When Donald finally leaves the White House I’m sure packed away in one of his boxes will be the clock and the gold he loves getting money from people do you realize since he’s been president he made over $5 billion for him and his family corruption from the Top we’re talking about the president of the United States this guy is the biggest con by the time he leaves His office if he does leave he’s going to be 100% richer than when he started it’s corruption 

7 hours ago, FlorC said:

If he wanted bribes , he could have one of his kids paint something

and sell it as "art". 

Worked for the Bidens.

So, you want to share with us proof that Hunter Biden shared the proceeds of his paintings with other bidens? Or is this just another deranged and misguided deflection?

52 minutes ago, Alan Zweibel said:

another deranged and misguided deflection

No it is true , I 'm not wasting my time looking for proof.