★ Private Action
Rolex gifts Trump a desk clock during Swiss tariff lobbying
Corporate Gifts to TrumpTariff Pressure
Filed July 2025
★ The Brief
What happened
According to the watch publication Hodinkee, Rolex left President Trump a clock modeled on one of its signature watches during meetings where Swiss executives pressed him over proposed tariffs; Trump later cut the tariff on Swiss imports from 39 percent to 15.
Who enabled it
Who benefits
Deal or steal?
The clock joins a gold souvenir from Apple's Tim Cook among the luxury gifts Trump has accepted from companies lobbying his administration over tariffs, each from a party with a decision pending before him.
According to watch publication Hodinkee, during meetings between Swiss business leaders and President Trump to discuss proposed tariffs on Swiss imports, Rolex left Trump with a desk clock modeled after one of its iconic watches. Trump subsequently reduced the tariff rate on Swiss imports from 39% to 15%.
Actors
Who pushed it · 1Who initiated, paid, or pushed the action.
RolexGifted Trump a desk clock modeled after one of its iconic watches during lobbying meetings aimed at reducing proposed Swiss import tariffs.
Beneficiaries
Who gained · 1Who stood to gain.
Donald TrumpReceived a Rolex-branded desk clock as a gift from the watchmaker during meetings where Swiss executives lobbied against proposed tariffs on Swiss goods.
Further reading
- ★ Government ActionJuly 2025Trump cuts Swiss tariffs 39% to 15% after Rolex lobbying
- ★ Private ActionAugust 2025Apple adds $100B to U.S. manufacturing pledge, total $600B
- ★ Private ActionAugust 2025Tim Cook gifts Trump gold souvenir during Apple tariff lobbying
- ★ Government ActionAugust 2025Trump doubles India tariffs to 50% on day of Apple investment event
- ★ Government ActionAugust 2025Trump exempts Apple and other tech investors from 100% chip tariffs
- ★ Government ActionMay 2026DOJ settles Trump IRS suit with $1.8B anti-weaponization fund