In a bold move shaking transatlantic ties, two Swiss lawmakers have petitioned prosecutors to investigate whether high-value gifts bestowed on U.S. President Donald Trump by Swiss business tycoons— including a custom Rolex desk clock worth $130,000 and a one-kilogram gold bar engraved with “45” and “47”—breach Switzerland’s stringent anti-bribery statutes.
The probe request, filed by Green Party parliamentarian Franz Grüter and Social Democrat Priska Seiler Graf, stems from a November 15 delegation of Swiss industry leaders to Mar-a-Lago. Amid Trump’s aggressive 39% tariffs on Swiss exports like watches and pharmaceuticals, the group presented the opulent items in a bid to soften trade blows. Days later, tariffs plummeted, sparking whispers of quid pro quo.
Grüter decried the gifts as “a blatant attempt to buy influence,” arguing they undermine Switzerland’s reputation for neutrality and ethical governance. The gold bar, from a Zurich refiner, and the Rolex timepiece— a gold-plated heirloom from the luxury firm’s CEO—were touted as “tokens of appreciation,” but critics liken them to scandals ensnaring figures like Sen. Bob Menendez.
Swiss prosecutors must now assess if the presents, exceeding federal gift limits, constitute corruption under Article 322 of the penal code. White House spokespeople dismissed the inquiry as “baseless sour grapes,” insisting the tariff relief reflects fair negotiations. As U.S.-Swiss trade hinges on billions, this saga could chill future diplomacy, with EU allies watching closely for precedents in Trump’s dealmaking era.