Experts Warn of Potential Ethical and Legal Controversies
Unreported Gifts Also Kept During First Term
There have been claims that the White House is turning into a gift repository for President Donald Trump, as world leaders and corporate executives present him with various gifts.
On August 10 (local time), U.S. media outlet Axios reported that CEOs of major companies and leaders from around the world are showering President Trump with gifts.
The most recent example occurred on August 6, when Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the White House. Cook, who was eager to resolve the tariff issues facing iPhones manufactured in China and India and imported into the United States, presented President Trump with a glass commemorative plaque engraved with the words "Made in USA." The base of the plaque was reportedly made of pure gold, seemingly reflecting President Trump's fondness for gold.
Previously, President Trump also received a Boeing 747-8 aircraft as a gift from the Qatari royal family. The Boeing aircraft, valued at $400 million (approximately 555.3 billion won), is said to be worth more than 100 times the combined value of all gifts ever received by previous U.S. presidents from foreign countries.
"Could pose ethical and legal issues"... Experts issue warnings
Experts have warned that President Trump’s acceptance of such gifts could raise ethical and legal concerns. This is because the U.S. federal government requires public officials to surrender any gifts from foreign sources valued at more than $480 (about 660,000 won) to a government agency, or pay the equivalent amount to the Treasury if they wish to keep the gift.
However, it was revealed that President Trump, during his first term, failed to report and surrendered various gifts, which became a source of controversy. According to an investigation by the House of Representatives, President Trump and his family failed to report at least 117 foreign gifts between 2017 and his departure from office in 2021.
The list of unreported gifts included fur garments made from white tiger and cheetah pelts, as well as a dagger with an ivory handle, both received from Saudi Arabia. Subsequent government investigations revealed that the fur was not made from natural materials; however, the total value of the gifts President Trump kept in violation of regulations was estimated to exceed $290,000 (about 400 million won).
Donald Trump (left), President of the United States, and Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan, pose for a commemorative photo at a golf course. Donald Trump X (X, formerly Twitter)
Additionally, the whereabouts of the gold golf club gifted to President Trump by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe remain unknown. Davis Ingle, spokesperson for the White House, stated, "Leaders from around the world and global business executives are visiting the White House to invest in the United States because of President Trump’s bold vision," adding, "They often wish to present gifts that showcase their own activities."
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