Trump Pledges to Remove 10% US Irish Whiskey Tariff
A Turning Point for US-Irish Spirits Trade: Push to Restore Zero-Tariff Reciprocity
During his visit to Ireland, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will remove the 10% import tariff imposed on Irish whiskey.
Trump arrived in Ireland to attend the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament held at his Trump International Golf Links & Hotel resort in Doonbeg, where he met with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Catherine Connolly. Speaking on September 13 after Irish golfer Shane Lowry clinched victory, Trump stated that following widespread appeals, he decided to eliminate tariffs on Irish whiskey on behalf of the United States.
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Tariff History and Bilateral Trade Volume
Currently, whiskey produced in the Republic of Ireland faces a 10% import tariff upon entering the US market. The tariff was initially imposed at 15% in August 2025 before being lowered to 10% in July this year.
The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) welcomed the decision. In an official statement, the association noted that Irish whiskey exemplifies the trade relationship between the US and Ireland, with Irish whiskey exports to the US reaching €450 million (approx. $519 million) last year, while Irish distilleries purchased €80 million (approx. $92 million) worth of American oak barrels. The association expressed hope that both nations can return to a zero-tariff regime for all spirits.
Industry Outlook and Year-End Holiday Prospects
According to Bord Bia statistics, total Irish whiskey exports fell by 5% in 2025, with exports to the US—its largest market—also recording a 5% decline, primarily due to advance stocking ahead of tariff implementations. Following the formal lifting of US tariffs on Scotch whisky on July 24 this year, Chris Swonger, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus), noted that removing spirits trade barriers will significantly benefit the US hospitality and retail sectors as they prepare for the upcoming year-end holiday shopping season.
📅 Publication Date: 2026-09-14
🔗 Source: The Spirits Business