A fresh political controversy is brewing overseas, as two Swiss lawmakers are pushing prosecutors to examine whether high-value gifts given to President Donald Trump violated Swiss anti-bribery rules. The gifts — including a gold bar and a Rolex table clock — were presented during a White House meeting just days before the Trump administration slashed tariffs on Swiss goods.
No Accusations Against Trump — But Plenty of Political Theater
Despite the sensational headlines coming from Europe, President Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
A source close to the Swiss delegation told Newsweek that all gifts were immediately transferred to the Trump Presidential Library, exactly as U.S. ethics laws require. These items are not personal gifts to the president — they become part of the official historical collection.
But as always, the political Left — both in Europe and the U.S. — is seizing on the opportunity to manufacture another so-called “scandal.”
Lavish Gifts Are Normal Diplomacy — But Only a Problem When Trump Is Involved
Presidents have long received ceremonial gifts from world leaders and international companies. Trump’s presidential library has already received several symbolic items, including:
- A custom gold-and-glass disc from Apple
- A Boeing 747 worth nearly $400 million donated by Qatar
None of these raised alarm bells among ethics experts. But when the recipient is President Trump, critics rush to hype even routine diplomatic gestures.
Inside the Meeting That Sparked the Outcry
Earlier this month, President Trump met with top executives from several major Swiss companies — Rolex, Richemont, MKS PAMP, Mercuria, and Partners Group — to discuss trade tensions caused by U.S. tariffs.
During the meeting, executives presented Trump with the gold bar engraved with 45 and 47 — a nod to his historic non-consecutive terms. Axios valued the bar at roughly $130,000.
Just ten days after the visit, the Trump administration announced a new framework reducing tariffs on key Swiss goods from 39% down to 15% — a move aimed at strengthening trade and lowering costs for American consumers.
Swiss Green Party Politicians Launch Complaints
The complaints come from two lawmakers in Switzerland’s Green Party — Raphael Mahaim and Greta Gysin — who sent a letter claiming the gifts could conflict with Swiss Penal Code Article 322.
They argue that “the average person” would question whether such gifts were appropriate during trade discussions.
The Swiss attorney general’s office, however, noted that receiving a complaint does not mean a criminal investigation has been opened. The office is merely reviewing the filings, as it is required to do by law.
Experts Suggest the Complaints Are Pure Political Posturing
Swiss PR consultant Toomas Kull called the situation a political tactic, not a legal crisis.
“In Switzerland, filing this kind of report and sending it to the media is done to grab attention,” he said. “It’s about creating noise, not launching a real legal challenge.”
A source close to the Swiss executives echoed that the gifts were handled in full compliance with both U.S. and Swiss law.
What Comes Next
Prosecutors in Switzerland will now determine whether the complaints have any legal merit.
Under Swiss law, filing a complaint does not trigger a criminal case, meaning the issue may disappear once prosecutors complete their review.
At this point:
- Trump is not accused of wrongdoing
- The gifts were properly transferred to the presidential library
- No U.S. ethics rules were violated
For now, the controversy appears to be yet another example of how global political opponents try — unsuccessfully — to attach suspicion to President Trump every time he strengthens America’s trade position.