The Art of the StealA project of the Save America Movement
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★ Government Action

Trump cuts Swiss tariffs 39% to 15% after Rolex lobbying

Corporate Gifts to TrumpTariff Pressure

Filed July 2025

★ The Brief

What happened

Trump announced at Davos that he had reduced the U.S. tariff rate on Swiss imports from 39% to 15% after meetings with Swiss business executives including Rolex. Trump said the rate could rise again.

Who enabled it

Who benefits

Deal or steal?

During the lobbying meetings, Rolex gave Trump a desk clock modeled after one of its iconic watches. The 24-point tariff cut directly reduces Rolex's cost burden in the U.S. market.

President Trump announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, 2026, that he had reduced the tariff rate on Swiss imports from a proposed 39% to 15%. Trump stated that his decision followed meetings with Swiss business leaders, including watchmaker Rolex, who visited him to discuss the proposed tariff. Trump acknowledged the rate could rise again in the future. The tariff reduction had taken effect in 2025.

Actors

Who pushed it · 2

Who initiated, paid, or pushed the action.

  • Donald Trump
    Donald Trump

    Unilaterally reduced the tariff rate on Swiss imports from 39% to 15% after meeting with Swiss business executives including Rolex, retaining the ability to raise the rate again.

  • Rolex
    Rolex

    Sent representatives to meet with Trump to lobby against the proposed 39% tariff on Swiss imports; reportedly left Trump with a desk clock modeled after one of its iconic watches as a gift during those meetings.

Beneficiaries

Who gained · 1

Who stood to gain.

  • Rolex
    Rolex

    As a major Swiss watchmaker and exporter to the US, Rolex stood to benefit directly from the tariff rate being lowered from 39% to 15%, reducing the cost burden on its products in the American market.

Sources

Further reading