The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) and the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) held a bilateral meeting in Dublin last week to discuss protecting the whiskey sector amid escalating global trade uncertainty. The summit came just days before US President Donald Trump announced plans to remove tariffs on Scotch Whisky imports, a move since confirmed by the US Trade Representative to cover all whiskey produced in the United Kingdom.
The IWA welcomed the tariff development on behalf of Irish Whiskey producers in Northern Ireland and called it a first step toward broader liberalization.
SWA chief executive Mark Kent praised the announcement. “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,” he said. “The special relationship that the Scotch Whisky and American Whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement.”
Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the IWA, urged the European Commission and the Irish government to keep spirits a priority within the EU-US framework. “We are continuing to work with US partners – representatives of the sector, cooperages, distillers, hospitality, retail – as well as EU and UK distillers to restore the zero-for-zero trading arrangement for the benefit of all,” he said.
The export value of Irish Whiskey is estimated at around €1 billion annually. Scotch Whisky exports were valued at approximately £5.3 billion ($6.7 billion) in 2025.
Discussions also addressed rising input costs, excise duty burdens, and the impact of inflation on consumer demand. Both associations stressed the need for a stable and predictable global trading environment alongside supportive domestic markets.
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Helen Mulholland, chair of the IWA and master blender with Sazerac of Ireland, said: “We are pleased to work closely with our colleagues in the Scotch Whisky Association, who share our commitment to strengthening the category. Together, Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky demonstrate the value our islands bring to the global spirits sector.”
Rita Greenwood, chair of the SWA and chief investment officer with William Grant & Sons, added: “We will continue to work closely with our international partners, such as the Irish Whiskey Association, to address shared challenges, explore new markets and support the long-term growth of the industry.”
The Irish drinks sector supports around 10,000 jobs across brewing, distilling, agriculture, and tourism. Scotch Whisky supports over 40,000 jobs in Scotland and 66,000 across the UK.
Ó Catháin concluded: “The past year has been a turbulent one for whiskey producers across our islands, therefore solidarity between our categories has never been more important.”
