Donald Trump Announces US to Lift Tariff on Irish Whiskey, Says Everyone Was Bugging Him About It

Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced the removal of the 10 percent tariff imposed on Irish whiskey. Trump made this announcement during the closing ceremony of the Irish Open golf tournament held in Ireland. He was presenting the trophy to the winner when he said that many people had asked him to remove the tariff on Irish whiskey.

Who demanded removal of tariff from Trump?

Trump said that Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin and several golfers participating in the tournament had talked to him on this issue. Irish Open winner Shane Lowry was also among those who urged Trump to remove the tariffs.

Trump jokingly said that everyone was asking him to remove it. He then announced that the US would remove the tariffs imposed on Irish whiskey. Following his announcement, the audience present at the event responded with loud applause and whistles.

However, the exact date from which the tariffs will be removed and what process will be followed for this were not immediately known.

Why was there a 10% tariff on Irish whiskey?

Irish whiskey was currently subject to US tariffs imposed on most goods coming from the EU. The Trump administration reduced tariffs on EU imports from 15 percent to 10 percent in July, but tariffs on Irish whiskey remain in place.

This created a trade disparity between Irish and British whiskey. Whiskey coming from Britain was exempted from tariffs in April, including Scotch whiskey and spirits made in Northern Ireland.

Why did the Irish whiskey industry want the tariffs removed?

The Irish Whiskey Association called for additional tariffs to be removed from Irish whiskey in May. The industry body said this would benefit businesses selling and distributing Irish products in the US.
The removal of tariffs may also reduce the pressure on the price and business of Irish whiskey in the American market. With this, trade-related uncertainty is expected to reduce for consumers and businessmen.

Were American spirits industry welcomed by the decision?

Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, welcomed Trump's announcement. He said the removal of tariffs on Irish whiskey is another positive step towards reducing barriers to the spirits trade.

According to him, this decision can benefit American retailers, restaurants, consumers and the hospitality sector, especially during the upcoming holiday season.

Has British whiskey already got an exemption?

Trump had announced tariff relief on British whiskey on April 30. At that time he also mentioned the White House visit of Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The Scotch Whiskey Association later confirmed on 24 July that the zero-tariff regime for British whiskey had come into effect. Now Trump's announcement of giving relief to Irish whiskey is also expected to boost spirits trade between America and Ireland.