Trump says he's lifting 10% tariff on Irish whiskey because 'everybody's been bugging me'

Trump Announces Removal of 10 Percent Tariff on Irish Whiskey

DOONBEG, Ireland (AP) — President Donald Trump stated on Sunday at the conclusion of a golf tournament in Ireland that he intends to eliminate a 10 percent tariff on Irish whiskey imports.

Trump made the statement during the trophy presentation for the Irish Open. He said multiple individuals had raised the tariff issue with him, including Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and several participating golfers. Irish Open winner Shane Lowry was among those who spoke to him about the matter, according to Trump.

“Everybody’s been bugging me” to address the tariff, the president said. “And I said, ‘On behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off’” of Irish whiskey.

Irish whiskey is currently subject to the standard tariff rate applied by the United States to most imports from the European Union. That rate had been lowered from 15 percent to 10 percent in July. In April, Trump announced the removal of certain tariffs on whiskey from the United Kingdom, which includes Scotch and spirits produced in Northern Ireland. The earlier action created a difference in tariff treatment between products from the United Kingdom and those from Ireland.

The announcement at the Irish Open produced audible reactions from spectators at the event. Specific timing for implementation of the tariff change was not provided at the time of the statement.

Chris Swonger, president and chief executive officer of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, described the announcement as a step toward lowering barriers in spirits trade. Swonger stated that the change would benefit multiple parties during the upcoming holiday period. “As U.S. hospitality businesses enter the critical holiday season, this action will provide a welcome boost for retailers, restaurants, consumers and the American economy,” Swonger said.

In May, the Irish Whiskey Association had requested removal of the tariffs. The association stated that elimination of the duties would assist U.S. companies holding Irish products in their portfolios and would reduce uncertainty for consumers.

On April 30, Trump indicated that he had provided a tariff reduction on whiskey to the United Kingdom following a visit to the White House by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. “The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!” Trump wrote on social media at that time.

The Scotch Whisky Association reported on July 24 that the zero-tariff policy for the relevant United Kingdom products had taken effect.

The tariff measures originated from earlier trade actions between the United States and the European Union. Those actions affected multiple categories of goods, including distilled spirits. The April decision on United Kingdom whiskey and the subsequent announcement regarding Irish whiskey represent adjustments within that broader framework.

Industry participants on both sides of the Atlantic have tracked the tariff changes because of their direct effect on pricing and distribution. U.S. importers and retailers have noted that differences in tariff rates between similar products can influence purchasing decisions and inventory planning. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States has continued to monitor developments and has issued statements on each announced adjustment.

No immediate statements were available from the European Commission or the Irish government beyond the earlier request from the Irish Whiskey Association. Implementation details, including any required regulatory steps or effective dates, remain to be confirmed by U.S. trade authorities.

The announcement occurred during Trump’s visit to Ireland, which included attendance at the golf tournament. The president returned to the United States following the event.