Trump Lifts 10% Tariff on Irish Whiskey Imports

President Trump has announced the removal of all remaining tariffs on Irish whiskey, moving to correct a trade disparity that arose after his administration exempted UK-produced spirits from similar duties earlier this year.

The decision eliminates the current 10% levy on Irish imports to align import rules for spirits entering the United States. The 10% rate had been in place since July, down from a 15% rate applied earlier in the year.

"Everybody's been bugging me... They are 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," said President Trump during the Irish Open trophy presentation in Doonbeg, Ireland.

Correcting a Trade Imbalance

The policy shift addresses a trade imbalance created in April 2026, when the administration removed tariffs on UK-produced whiskey, including Scotch and spirits made in Northern Ireland. That exemption followed a diplomatic visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, which left Irish-produced spirits at a competitive disadvantage in the U.S. market.

The removal of these duties comes just before the hospitality sector enters the year-end shopping 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," said Chris Swonger, president & CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

What Is at Stake for Importers

For U.S. retailers and distributors, dropping the 10% tariff cuts the landed cost of Irish whiskey, which has faced fluctuating duties over the past year. By matching the treatment of Irish spirits to those from the UK, the administration removes a price gap that previously favored Scotch and Northern Irish bottles over spirits from the Republic of Ireland.