Donald Trump has announced that he intends to remove the US tariffs currently imposed on Irish whiskey. The statement has been eagerly awaited by the industry, as the United States is Irish whiskey’s leading export market.
An announcement in Ireland at the close of the Irish Open
Donald Trump promises to lift the 10% tariff
The announcement was made on 13 September 2026 at the Irish Open prize-giving ceremony, held at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare. Donald Trump said he would remove the tariffs applied to Irish whiskey.
The tariff in question currently stands at 10%. It forms part of the wider duties imposed by the United States on several products from the European Union. The rate had previously reached 15% before being reduced in July 2026.
The US president said he had been approached several times on the matter, notably by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Irish golfer Shane Lowry, winner of the 2026 Irish Open.
Why this decision matters for Irish whiskey
The United States is a strategic market
Lifting these tariffs could have a direct effect on Irish exports. The United States is the main international market for Irish whiskey and accounts for a major share of the sector’s sales.
The additional duties have weighed on the margins of producers, importers and distributors, while contributing to uncertainty over retail prices across the Atlantic. Their removal could improve the competitiveness of Irish bottles against other spirits that already benefit from more favourable tariff conditions.
Relief for the entire industry
The Irish Whiskey Association has been campaigning for several months for a return to a tariff-free situation. The organisation believes that removing the tariff would benefit not only Irish distilleries, but also the US importers, distributors, bars, restaurants and retailers that sell these products.
The whiskey sector also relies on numerous transatlantic business relationships, particularly involving bourbon barrels from Kentucky and Tennessee. An easing of trade tensions could therefore have effects in both directions.
A political announcement, but not yet a measure in force
No specific date has yet been given
At this stage, Donald Trump’s statement amounts to a political promise. The US president did not specify when the removal of the tariffs would take effect, or through which regulatory mechanism it would be implemented.
A formal decision by the US administration will therefore be needed before the tariff can be regarded as effectively removed. Irish producers are nonetheless watching the announcement closely, as it marks an important shift in tone after several months of trade tensions.
Irish whiskey, an economic and cultural symbol
An industry enjoying a revival for several years
Irish whiskey has enjoyed a spectacular resurgence since the beginning of the 21st century. The number of distilleries has risen sharply, while historic major names such as Jameson, Bushmills and Tullamore D.E.W. have been joined by a new generation of independent producers.
The revival is also evident in tourism. Many distilleries now offer tours, tastings and immersive experiences, from Dublin to County Cork, via Northern Ireland, Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way. Whiskey has become a genuine tourist draw, alongside Guinness and Ireland’s great landscapes.
Potentially good news for Irish distilleries
A commercial advantage in the US market
If the removal is confirmed, it could allow Irish brands to restore better margins and strengthen their investment in the United States. It could also help stabilise prices for American consumers.
The announcement comes as Dublin seeks to preserve close economic ties with Washington. Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland was marked by several political moments, but this promise on whiskey could be among the most concrete economic announcements for Irish exporters.
Cross-checked sources: Reuters, Associated Press, CNN and public statements reported during the Irish Open, 13–14 September 2026.
