By Andrea Shalal
WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Two Democratic senators are demanding answers from two Belgian firms about an 18-carat gold ring encrusted with 321 diamonds that was given to U.S. President Donald Trump weeks before the U.S. exempted Europe's diamond industry from new tariffs.
Here are some details:
• In an August 10 letter to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre and David Gotlib Luxury Cufflinks, Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut warned that the gift raised serious legal questions under U.S. federal bribery law and could result in criminal penalties for the companies.
• "At best, your (gift to) ... President Trump amidst high-stakes tariff decisions creates the glaring appearance of impropriety. At worst, it reinforces that foreign corporate special interests can … buy lucrative tariff exemptions simply by showering President Trump with shiny gifts," they wrote in the letter.
#diamond
WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Two Democratic senators are demanding answers from two Belgian firms about an 18-carat gold ring encrusted with 321 diamonds that was given to U.S. President Donald Trump weeks before the U.S. exempted Europe's diamond industry from new tariffs.
Here are some details:
• In an August 10 letter to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre and David Gotlib Luxury Cufflinks, Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut warned that the gift raised serious legal questions under U.S. federal bribery law and could result in criminal penalties for the companies.
• "At best, your (gift to) ... President Trump amidst high-stakes tariff decisions creates the glaring appearance of impropriety. At worst, it reinforces that foreign corporate special interests can … buy lucrative tariff exemptions simply by showering President Trump with shiny gifts," they wrote in the letter.
#diamond
2 months ago
