Six prominent Swiss billionaires met with former US President Donald Trump in November to advocate for reduced tariffs on Swiss goods imported into America, according to reports. The clandestine discussions, held in the White House’s Oval Office without official Swiss government representatives, involved high-profile figures such as Rolex CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour and Richemont’s Johan Rupert, who oversees luxury brands like Cartier and Vacheron Constantin. Other attendees included business leaders from sectors ranging from shipping to precious metals trading.
The group emphasized the “constructive spirit” of the talks, stating their aim was to demonstrate Geneva’s willingness to engage in diplomatic dialogue. They argued that a bilateral trade agreement could bolster economic ties between Switzerland and the US.
Separately, reports surfaced about UBS, Switzerland’s largest bank, exploring potential relocation to the United States. This follows concerns over new regulatory requirements imposed by Swiss authorities, with top executives reportedly meeting Trump earlier in 2019 to discuss the matter.
