- Swiss Green lawmakers have urged the Office of the Attorney General to probe whether lavish gifts to President Trump violated Article 322septies anti-bribery law.
- The Rolex clock and one-kilogram gold bar, given ahead of a tariff deal, sparked complaints and scrutiny over possible influence on the swift trade agreement.
In a move that’s rippling through diplomatic circles and anti-corruption watchdogs alike, two Swiss parliamentarians are calling for an urgent investigation into whether high-profile gifts presented to U.S. President Donald Trump during a recent Oval Office meeting violate Switzerland’s strict anti-bribery laws.
The unusual “gold bar diplomacy,” as it’s been cheekily dubbed in European media, involves a gleaming Rolex desk clock and a one-kilogram bar of pure gold—items that landed on Trump’s desk just days before a major trade deal was struck between the U.S. and Switzerland.
The push for scrutiny comes from Raphaël Mahaim and Greta Gysin, members of Switzerland’s Green Party, who have formally urged the country’s Office of the Attorney General to review the presents for potential breaches of the criminal code.
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At the heart of their concern is Article 322septies of the Swiss Penal Code, which prohibits offering an “undue advantage” to a foreign public official, with penalties that could include up to five years in prison or hefty fines.
“We believe the end does not justify all means,” the lawmakers wrote in their request, according to reports from Reuters.
Their letter arrives amid a broader wave of criticism from Swiss Green and Social Democrat politicians, who argue that the timing of the gifts—presented on November 4 during a meeting with a delegation of top Swiss executives—raises serious ethical red flags.
The Meeting and the Gifts: A Timeline of Events
To understand why this has Swiss officials on edge, let’s rewind to that Oval Office sit-down.
The attendees read like a who’s who of Swiss business heavyweights: executives from MSC (the world’s largest container shipping company), Rolex, Partners Group (a private equity giant), Mercuria (an energy trading firm), Richemont (the luxury goods powerhouse behind brands like Cartier), and MKS PAMP (a leading precious metals refiner).
The group reportedly arrived with more than just proposals for tariff relief—they brought tangible tokens of goodwill.
Photographs from the White House show a Rolex Submariner desk clock, retailing in the five-figure range (a stainless steel version alone goes for about $10,000), prominently displayed on Trump’s desk.
Beside it? A solid gold bar weighing one kilogram, valued at roughly $130,000 based on current market prices.
A source familiar with the delegation told The Daily Beast: “The gifts were presented to the Presidential Library, on behalf of the Group who attended the meeting, in full compliance with both U.S. and Swiss law, and were cleared with the White House ethics counsel.”
That claim of pre-approval hasn’t quelled the backlash, though. Alfred Gantner, co-founder of Partners Group and one of the attendees, described the session to Reuters as a productive “collaboration” that helped “resolve the dispute” over tariffs.
Just 10 days later, on November 14, the U.S. and Switzerland announced a framework deal slashing Trump’s proposed 39% tariff on Swiss imports to a more palatable 15%.
The swift turnaround has fueled speculation: Was this a straightforward negotiation or did the glittering presents tip the scales?
“Gold Bar Diplomacy” Sparks Outrage and Official Response
The story has captivated Swiss and European outlets, with headlines like “Gold Bar Diplomacy” popping up everywhere from local papers to international wires.
Critics in Switzerland’s left-leaning parties have been vocal, decrying what they see as a public-private partnership that skirts too close to influence-peddling.
The Swiss government, for its part, has pushed back, insisting there’s no quid pro quo and defending the business leaders’ role in smoothing trade talks.
Under Swiss law, anyone can file a criminal complaint, and it’s up to prosecutors to decide if it merits a full investigation.
So far, three such complaints—”against persons unknown”—have landed on the desk of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, all tied to the Trump meeting.
A spokesperson for the office told The Daily Beast:
“The Federal Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing these complaints as usual. It is important to note that the receipt of a criminal complaint does not automatically mean that a criminal investigation has been opened. No further information is currently available.”
When reached for comment, Rolex declined to engage, while spokespeople for Partners Group and MKS PAMP offered no further details beyond initial statements.
The White House hasn’t responded to inquiries, and attempts to contact Mahaim, Gysin, MSC, Mercuria, and Richemont were ongoing as of press time.
What This Means for U.S.-Swiss Ties
This isn’t just a quirky footnote in Trump-era diplomacy; it’s a test case for how gifts and trade intersect in an era of heightened scrutiny on foreign influence.
The U.S. has its own ethics rules for presidential gifts—anything over a nominal value must be turned over to the National Archives or a presidential library—but enforcement often feels more symbolic than ironclad.
In Switzerland, where neutrality and transparency are national badges of honor, the bar is even higher.
As the Federal Prosecutor’s Office pores over the complaints, the gold bar and Rolex clock remain fixtures in the Oval Office, silent witnesses to a deal that saved Swiss exporters potentially billions.
Will this lead to charges, or fizzle out as another chapter in high-stakes haggling?
For now, it’s a reminder that even in the world of presidents and tycoons, a little bling can go a long way—and sometimes, too far.
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