politics
Belgian Diamond Group Presents Gem-Encased Ring to U.S. Ambassador for Trump
A Belgian diamond industry group presented a gold ring valued at $25,000 to $35,000 to the U.S. ambassador to Belgium for delivery to President Trump. The gift followed the group's successful request for zero-percent U.S. tariffs on more than $2 billion in annual diamond exports.
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A Belgian diamond industry group presented a gold ring to the U.S. ambassador to Belgium this week for delivery to President Trump. The ring contains 321 diamonds, 56 sapphires, 13 emeralds, and six rubies. ” Two independent jewelers estimated its value between $25,000 and $35,000.
The presentation took place during an America’s 250th birthday event in Brussels attended by more than 8,000 people. President Trump thanked the group in a prerecorded video message. “A very special thank you to my friends from Antwerp for the magnificent Freedom 250 ring,” the message stated.
A spokesperson for the Antwerp World Diamond Centre said the ring should serve as a reminder that partnerships, like diamonds, are formed under pressure and endure over time.
The presentation occurred months after the Antwerp World Diamond Centre secured a zero percent U.S. import tariff on more than $2 billion in annual polished diamond exports. A spokesperson for the group said the organization provided input to the European Commission during 2025 tariff negotiations but did not lobby the administration directly.
A White House official said Thursday the ring has not yet been presented to the president. The fate of the ring is not currently clear. The U.S. ambassador to Belgium raised more than $5.5 million from corporate sponsors including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Intel, Google and Meta for the Brussels event.
