President Trump has said he will lift the tariffs Irish whiskey exports face in the US.
The US President made the remarks as he attended the Irish Open golf tournament yesterday (13 September) towards the end of a two-day visit to the country, which included meeting Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
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Trump announced the move as he addressed the crowd at the Irish Open, a tournament won by local golfer Shane Lowry.
“I want to mention one thing,” Trump told the crowd. “[The] Taoiseach and I talked about it and Shane talked about it and everyone has been bugging me saying ‘Would you do me a favour? It’s so unfair what’s going on. Could you possibly take the tariffs off of Irish whiskey?’
“And I said on behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off Irish whiskey.”
The US is the largest market for Irish whiskey exports, traditionally accounting for around 40% of sales.
According to figures from Irish export promotion agency Bord Bia, exports to the US fell 5% last year, hit by US tariffs and the devaluation of the American dollar.
At present, EU spirits exports to the US, including from Ireland, face a 10% tariff.
Earlier this year, the US lifted its tariffs on whiskies from the UK, including Scotch and also those from Northern Ireland.
Eoin Ó Catháin, the director of The Irish Whiskey Association, said the organisation “heartly welcomes” Trump’s remarks.
“Last year, Irish whiskey exports to the USA were worth €450m, while Irish distillers collectively purchased €80m worth of US whiskey casks. This relationship represents thousands of jobs and millions in investment on both sides of the Atlantic, and the return to tariff-free trade for our Irish Whiskey distillers will strengthen this success and lead to further growth and investment,” Ó Catháin said.
US trade body The Distilled Spirits Council of the US, which campaigns for the removal of tariffs across the Atlantic, also welcomed Trump’s comments.
“Following President Trump’s earlier action to remove tariffs on Scotch and all other UK whiskies, this announcement is another positive step toward reducing barriers to spirits trade. As US hospitality businesses enter the critical holiday season, this action will provide a welcome boost for retailers, restaurants, consumers and the American economy,” president and CEO Chris Swonger said.
