Trump announces US will eliminate 10% tariff on Irish whiskey

United States President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he intends to remove the 10 percent tariff currently imposed on Irish whiskey. The declaration was made during a trophy ceremony at the Irish Open golf tournament, which was held at a golf course owned by the president in Doonbeg, County Clare.

The 10 percent duty on Irish whiskey is part of a broader set of tariffs levied by the Trump administration on various European Union wine and spirit exports. While the president stated that he had been repeatedly asked to address the issue by various individuals, including golfers attending the tournament, specific details regarding the timeline for the tariff's removal were not immediately provided.

The current 10 percent rate on Irish whiskey follows a reduction from a previous 15 percent level implemented in July. The Irish Whiskey Association had formally requested the removal of these duties in May, arguing that such a move would benefit American companies selling Irish products and reduce market uncertainty for consumers.

This announcement follows a similar policy shift regarding spirits from the United Kingdom. In late April, the administration announced a zero-tariff policy for Scotch and Northern Irish whiskey, a change that officially took effect on July 24. The Scotch Whisky Association noted that the removal of those duties was expected to provide greater confidence for businesses to invest and grow exports.

During the announcement in Ireland, the president remarked that he had been "bugging" by many to take action on the Irish whiskey tariffs. The statement was met with cheers and whistles from the spectators gathered at the tournament. The move marks a further adjustment to the administration's trade policy regarding European spirits, following the precedent set by the tariff relief granted to the United Kingdom earlier this year.