A Belgian diamond group is gifting Trump a lavish ring after that industry won tariff relief

By — Sam McNeil, Associated Press Sam McNeil, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/a-belgian-diamond-group-is-gifting-trump-a-lavish-ring-after-that-industry-won-tariff-relief Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter A Belgian diamond group is gifting Trump a lavish ring after that industry won tariff relief World Jul 3, 2026 5:19 PM EDT BRUSSELS (AP) — Dozens of diamonds spell out two giant letter T's next to the Stars and Stripes and "1776" and "2026." Dozens more frame the numbers 45 and 47 in the shape of Superman's logo. A diamond-winged eagle carries a ruby shield and clutches an olive branch of emeralds, below a radiant "250" and atop the phrase "250 YEARS USA" etched in 18-karat gold. All told, 321 diamonds, 56 sapphires, 13 emeralds and six rubies encrust the watch-sized gold ring presented this week to Bill White, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium, to give to U.S. President Donald Trump. READ MORE: Trump's $2B income in 2025 raises fresh questions about profiting off presidency "A very special thank you to my friends from Antwerp for the magnificent Freedom 250 ring," Trump said in a prerecorded video message during an event marking America's 250th birthday in Brussels. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Isidore Mörsel, president of the Antwerp World Diamond Center, or AWDC, gifted the ring on behalf of the centuries-old diamond community in the Belgian port city, a central node in the worldwide trade of the precious stones that found itself struggling last year under the weight of Trump's sweeping trade war. "May this ring serve as a lasting reminder that true partnership, like the finest natural diamonds, are formed under pressure, endure the test of time, and shine brightest when built on trust," Mörsel said. The ring's interior is engraved with the phrase "Crafted in Antwerp for Donald John Trump." A ring designed for President Donald Trump and crafted by Antwerp diamond designer David Gotlib. Photo by David Gotlib via AP In dollar terms, the ring's value pales beside gifts like the $400 million plane donated by Qatar that Trump ordered converted into a new Air Force One. But it's a glitzy window into the role that ostentatious – and almost always gilded — gifts are playing by those seeking to curry favor with the U.S. president. READ MORE: Trump stock trades fuel accusations of corruption and profiting off presidency A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter, said Thursday that the ring has not been presented to Trump yet. The ring is latest in Trump's historic break with White House custom The gift comes months after Belgium's diamond industry won the removal of U.S. tariffs on diamond imports. In September, AWDC said it had "succeeded in securing a zero percent import tariff" on Antwerp's annual export of more than $2 b