Archive · 27 Nov 2025
Swiss lawmakers probe Trump gifts for bribery
Some Swiss lawmakers want to check if gifts given to former U.S. President Donald Trump by Swiss business leaders were against the law.
The gifts included a fancy watch and a gold bar.
The business leaders say they followed all the rules.
The lawmakers are worried that these gifts might have been given to influence a deal that reduced taxes on Swiss goods in the U.S. The lawmakers want the courts to decide if the gifts were okay or not.
If the gifts were given to influence the deal, it could be against Swiss law, and the people involved could go to jail or have to pay a fine.
Swiss lawmakers request probe into gifts given to Trump by Swiss business leaders.
Gifts included a Rolex watch and a gold bar, presented in compliance with U.S. and Swiss law according to a source close to the delegation.
Lawmakers question if gifts violated Swiss anti-bribery laws, which prohibit offering undue advantages to foreign officials.
The gifts were presented during a meeting where a tariff deal was discussed, reducing Swiss goods tariff from 39% to 15%.
Potential penalty for violation includes up to five years in prison or a fine.
- Who
- Swiss lawmakers Raphael Mahaim and Greta Gysin, Swiss business leaders, U.S. President Donald Trump
- What
- A probe into whether gifts to Trump by Swiss business leaders violated Swiss anti-bribery laws
- When
- The gifts were presented in January 2020, the probe was requested in February 2020
- Where
- Switzerland, United States
- Why
- To determine if the gifts were given to influence the U.S.-Swiss tariff deal
- Gifts
- Rolex watch, gold bar
- Companies Involved
- MSC, Rolex, Partners Group, Mercuria, Richemont, MKS
- Lawmakers Involved
- Raphael Mahaim, Greta Gysin
- Potential Violation
- Swiss anti-bribery laws
- Penalty for Violation
- Up to 5 years in prison or a fine
- Tariff Deal
- Swiss goods tariff reduced from 39% to 15%