President Donald Trump has announced the removal of all tariffs and restrictions on whisky imports into the United States, a decision made in honor of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit. The move, confirmed by the UK government to apply to all whisky tariffs including Irish whiskey, has drawn widespread relief from industry leaders on both sides of the Atlantic.
Trump said the royal visit “got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking,” according to the BBC. The decision restores what many in the spirits sector describe as a zero-for-zero trading arrangement that had underpinned transatlantic spirits commerce for years.
Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), called the announcement “a significant boost for the Scotch Whisky industry in our most valuable export market.”
“Distillers can breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector,” Kent said. “We are hugely grateful for the sustained efforts on both sides of the Atlantic. For months, many have worked tirelessly to return zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and bourbon.”
Kent added: “The special relationship that the Scotch Whisky and American Whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement. While challenges in our sector remain, we can now redouble our efforts to boost the benefits our two great industries bring to communities across Scotland and the US.”
Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, offered an emphatic response. “We are thrilled to see President Trump’s Truth Social post and thank him for his leadership on this issue,” Swonger said. “The removal of the 10% tariff on UK whisky would be a major victory for American hospitality businesses that are deeply impacted by international trade.”
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Swonger added: “This action strengthens transatlantic ties, brings much-needed certainty to our industry and allows spirits producers on both sides of the Atlantic to grow, invest and support jobs at a critical time.”
Nodjame Fouad, CEO of Gold Brand Unit (Aged Spirits and Champagne) at Pernod Ricard, described the move as “a welcome progression, which will bring relief to industry on both sides of the Atlantic.” She added: “We hope that both governments can move quickly to bring this into force.”
The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) welcomed the announcement but urged broader action. “The fundamentals underpinning the decision to remove tariffs on Scotch Whisky equally apply to Irish spirits trade with the US,” the association said in a statement. The IWA noted that Irish whiskey exports to the US are valued at approximately €450 million ($504 million) annually and emphasized Ireland’s role as the EU’s largest importer of US oak casks.
“Irish Whiskey is strongly linked to US craftsmanship,” the IWA said. “Ireland is the EU’s largest importer of US oak casks; the vast majority of our whiskey matures in ex-bourbon barrels from Kentucky and beyond. We are an ecosystem partner of American whiskey, not a competitor.”
Ian Shackleton, sales and brand director at Ian Macleod Distillers, called it “great news for our company and for our industry.” He added: “As a small, family-owned producer with some world famous, multi-award-winning brands, the USA is a vital and growing marketplace for us.”
Martha Dalton, co-founder of transatlantic brand Never Say Die Bourbon, struck an optimistic tone but called for further progress. “Three cheers for King Charles — this is exactly the news our industry needed,” Dalton said. “Now let’s ride this wave. This can’t stop at whisky. Other UK spirits are still carrying a 10% tariff into the US, and Irish whiskey from the Republic is facing 15%. Let’s finish the job and lift tariffs on spirits across the board.”
The tariffs had been a persistent source of tension since their imposition, disrupting trade flows and creating planning uncertainty for producers large and small. The lifting of the tariffs is a huge relief for the industry.
