The BRICS TimesThe Trump administration imposed a steep 39 percent tariff on Swiss products, more than double the tariff levied on goods exported from the European Union to the United States, and nearly four times higher than the tariffs on British exports to America.
U.S. President Donald Trump made an appearance at the US Open on Sunday, drawing both applause and boos from the audience before the final match began. Trump, waving from a luxury suite, received a mixed response—some spectators clapped while others jeered. The Arthur Ashe Stadium was only partially filled at that point, and many attendees were unaware of his presence until he greeted the crowd. A number of people hardly noticed him at all.
Despite the fact that his administration had imposed heavy tariffs on Switzerland—the home country of the luxury watchmaker Rolex—Trump attended the tournament as a guest of Rolex. Organizers reportedly tried to ensure that the booing directed at the president was not broadcast during the live television coverage.
Trump has increasingly chosen to spend his domestic travels attending major sporting events rather than hosting large campaign-style rallies or announcing new policies, which used to be a hallmark of his earlier political campaigns. He is now seen more frequently in the stands of sporting arenas rather than leading mass political gatherings.
Because of his presence, security checks were tightened, which led to a half-hour delay in the men’s singles final. This meant the much-anticipated match between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (22) and Italy’s defending champion Jannik Sinner (24) started later than scheduled. Trump, however, arrived more than 45 minutes before the rescheduled start.
The tariff controversy still looms large. Trump’s administration had slapped a 39 percent duty on Swiss exports, an amount two and a half times higher than what the European Union pays on its exports to the U.S., and nearly four times more than what the United Kingdom faces. The move has raised concerns over Switzerland’s ability to remain competitive against its 27 EU neighbors.
When asked about Trump’s acceptance of Rolex’s invitation, the White House declined to comment. However, critics argue that the president continues to blur the line between political decision-making, foreign policy, and personal business interests. Trump has also been known to promote luxury golf resorts operating under his name and has aligned himself with financial and cryptocurrency interests worldwide. On Friday, he announced that the United States will host the G20 Summit in December 2026 at the Trump National Park in South Florida, underscoring his tendency to intertwine governance with his private ventures.
The United States Tennis Association clarified that as per standard practice, negative crowd reactions would not be shown during the ABC national broadcast. In its statement, the organization explained that it routinely advises broadcasters to avoid displaying disruptions that occur off the court. Even as fans flocked into the stadium once the rain eased, there were no significant street protests against the president outside the venue. Interestingly, most attendees refrained from wearing Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” caps during the event.
Trump is not new to the US Open, but his return marked his first appearance at the tournament since 2015, when he was met with a wave of boos. Ahead of the final, Carlos Alcaraz remarked that “the presence of any president is good for tennis,” adding that players should not let it add unnecessary pressure.
Over the past few months, Trump has frequently been spotted at major sporting spectacles, including the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, UFC fights, NCAA wrestling championships, and the FIFA Club World Cup final. His attendance at the US Open is historically significant, as it was the first time in 25 years that a sitting American president watched the tournament. The last instance dates back to 2000, when then-President Bill Clinton attended the matches.
Akshay Didwaniya
Pratik Agrawal
Mayur Mohta