US will scrap Irish whisky tariff, Trump says

Speaking at a trophy ceremony during a golf event at his Doonbeg course in County Clare, President Donald Trump said the United States will lift a 10% tariff that currently applies to Irish whiskey. He framed the decision as responding to public requests and stated it would be done on behalf of the United States, but did not give details about timing or the implementation process. The 10% duty forms part of a wider set of US tariffs on wine and spirits from the European Union that have been in place for more than a year. In July the administration had already scaled back an earlier 15% levy to 10%, and industry groups have repeatedly lobbied for full removal to reduce market volatility and protect US spirit portfolios and consumers. The announcement follows earlier actions on UK spirits: the administration declared a zero-tariff policy for Scotch and Northern Irish whisky in late April after a royal visit, and the Scotch Whisky Association said in late July that the removal had come into effect and would help businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. The Irish Whiskey Association said it welcomed the new move and will continue to work with EU and US counterparts to try to restore a zero-for-zero tariff arrangement for all drinks exports. Trump's statement prompted audible cheers from the tournament crowd, but official details about when the Irish whiskey duty will be formally repealed were not provided at the event. Industry representatives and trade groups will likely seek clarification on the mechanics and timing of any repeal as implementation details become available.