President Donald Trump said Sunday he intends to remove the 10 percent tariff the United States currently imposes on Irish whiskey imported from Ireland, making an announcement during a visit to the country.
Trump made the pledge while speaking at a ceremony for the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg.
“Ireland itself has been so incredible, so inviting, and we’re very honored by presenting you with a great course. It’s been great,” Trump said.
He then addressed the tariff directly, describing conversations with Irish officials and a golfer about the issue.
“I want to mention one thing, Taoiseach [Micheál Martin] and I talked about it, and [Irish golfer] Shane [Lowry] talked about it, and everybody’s been bugging me, they’re saying, ‘Would you do me a favor? 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,’” Trump said.
The move would apply to Irish whiskey brands sold in the US, including Tullamore Dew, Bushmills 12 Year Single Malt, and Jameson.
A Precedent With Scotch
This is not the first time Trump has moved to lower duties on imported spirits. In April, he announced he was dropping tariffs on Scotch whisky following a visit from the United Kingdom’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
“I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.
Trump followed through on that pledge and removed the tariffs on Scotch, a track record that supports the expectation he will do the same for Irish whiskey.
No formal timeline or executive order implementing the change has been announced.
Add comment