Business · Trade · 13 hrs ago
Swiss trade chief says Rolex and gold gifts were for the American people
Swiss trade chief Helene Budliger Artieda said gifts to Donald Trump were for the American people.
The gifts were a Rolex table clock and an engraved gold bar, presented by Swiss business leaders at the White House last November.
The delegation was seeking relief after Trump imposed 39% tariffs on Swiss goods.
The gifts sparked controversy in Switzerland, where lawmakers filed criminal complaints seeking a probe into possible bribery.
Budliger said the items were registered at the White House and could eventually go to a presidential library; she said the Swiss government did not give them.
She said US tariffs have been cut to 15% under an accord and that the United States has respected the deal.
Talks are continuing on a more permanent, legally binding agreement, while a parliamentary report on the gifts is expected.
Swiss trade chief Helene Budliger Artieda said gifts from Swiss business executives to US President Donald Trump were intended for the American people, not Trump personally.
The gifts were a Rolex table clock and an engraved gold bar, delivered at the White House last November.
Budliger said the items were registered at the White House and could end up in a presidential library.
Swiss lawmakers filed criminal complaints seeking an investigation into possible bribery, and a parliamentary report is expected.
The gifts followed US tariffs of 39% on Swiss goods; an accord later capped the levies at 15%, according to Budliger.
- Who
- Helene Budliger Artieda, Switzerland’s top trade diplomat, discussed gifts presented by Swiss business executives to Donald Trump.
- What
- She said the Rolex table clock and engraved gold bar were gifts to the American people, not Trump.
- When
- The gifts were delivered last November. Budliger spoke on Oct 14.
- Where
- The gifts were handed over at the White House. Budliger gave the interview at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi.
- Why
- The business delegation was seeking relief from US tariffs on Swiss goods.
Budliger Artieda
Swiss lawmakers seeking a probe
Purpose and legality
Budliger Artieda
Budliger said the gifts were for the American people, were registered at the White House and were not illegal.
Swiss lawmakers seeking a probe
Lawmakers filed criminal complaints seeking a probe into possible bribery.
The US imposed 39% tariffs on Swiss goods.
Swiss business executives delivered a Rolex table clock and engraved gold bar at the White House.
An accord capped the levies at 15%.
Budliger discussed the gifts and trade relations at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi.
- Gifts
- Rolex table clock and engraved gold bar
- Recipient location
- White House
- Tariffs before accord
- 39%
- Tariffs under accord
- 15%
- Trade chief
- Helene Budliger Artieda
3 sources
What people are saying
It’s a gift to the American people – it’s duly registered at the White House, and if all things go well, it will end up in a presidential library
The Swiss government didn’t gift anything. I think that’s the most important thing.
The US has respected that deal