**US to Eliminate Tariff on Irish Whisky, Trump Announces During Golf Tournament in Ireland**
Doonbeg, County Clare – In a significant move for Irish whisky producers, US President Donald Trump announced on September 13, 2026, that the United States will repeal the existing 10 percent tariff on Irish whisky. This announcement was made during the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament held at the golf course owned by Trump himself in Doonbeg.
Speaking at the trophy presentation ceremony, Trump stated, “Everybody’s been bugging me” to eliminate the tariff, and he confirmed, “On behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off [Irish whisky].” The tariff had been part of broader trade measures imposed by the Trump administration on European Union imports, which included various wines and spirits.
The announcement comes after a year of challenges for Irish whisky producers, who have faced market volatility due to the tariffs. The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) has been advocating for the removal of these tariffs, emphasizing the importance of protecting both US consumers and the domestic companies that handle Irish brands. IWA Director Eoin O Caithain expressed optimism about the announcement, stating, “Nothing exemplifies the US-Ireland trade relationship better than Irish Whiskey,” and indicated that the association would continue to work towards a zero-for-zero tariff arrangement for all drinks exports.
This decision follows a similar policy change announced by Trump in April 2026, when he lifted tariffs on spirits from the United Kingdom, including Scotch and Northern Irish whisky. This earlier decision was reportedly influenced by a royal visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, which Trump noted in a social media post, saying the royal couple “got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!”
The Scotch Whisky Association welcomed the zero-tariff policy, calling it “welcome news for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic” and expressing hope that it would encourage investment, growth in exports, and job creation. The IWA echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for stability in the market for both producers and consumers.
While the crowd at the golf tournament responded enthusiastically to Trump’s announcement, details regarding the timeline for the tariff elimination were not immediately disclosed. The IWA has previously noted the importance of a favorable trade environment for the growth of Irish whisky in the US market.
As the US and Ireland continue to navigate their trade relationship, the removal of the tariff on Irish whisky is seen as a positive step that could enhance bilateral trade and strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.