A triumphant President Trump sitting at a desk in the Oval Office, signing a document, with a large, festively wrapped gift box labeled "GIFTS" open before him. Outside the window, cargo ships are seen unloading. The style is a bold political cartoon.
How Gifts Won Over Trump on Tariffs
Recent reports reveal a pattern where foreign nations have successfully influenced U.S. trade policies, particularly tariffs, through strategic gift-giving to President Donald Trump. The approach has proven remarkably effective in altering tariff structures and advancing trade negotiations.
The Swiss Success Story
In November 2025, Switzerland achieved a significant reduction in U.S. tariffs on its goods, successfully lowering the rate from 39% to 15%. This diplomatic victory came after Swiss business leaders presented President Trump with carefully selected gifts: an engraved Rolex desktop clock and a personalized 1-kilogram gold bar. The timing and nature of these gifts coincided with crucial trade negotiations, demonstrating how personalized luxury items could sway tariff decisions.
Precedent and Pattern
This strategy was not entirely new. Apple CEO Tim Cook had previously set a precedent by gifting President Trump a 24-karat gold-based disc to commemorate a major U.S. investment. The pattern suggests that President Trump has shown particular receptiveness to such personalized gestures during trade discussions.
Broader Implications
The success of this approach has highlighted what appears to be an effective lobbying strategy: combining traditional diplomatic channels with carefully curated luxury gifts. The Swiss case demonstrates that nations willing to invest in high-value, personalized presents could potentially secure more favorable trade terms, particularly regarding tariff reductions.
International Response
Other nations have taken note of this successful approach, with reports indicating similar gift-giving strategies being employed during trade talks with South Korea and other trading partners. The method has proven particularly effective in advancing trade negotiations that might otherwise stall over tariff disputes.
The phenomenon underscores how personal relationships and symbolic gestures have played a significant role in shaping U.S. trade policy during this period, with luxury gifts serving as powerful tools in international economic diplomacy.
The prompt for this was: How gifts won over him on tariffs
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