Overview: Negotiations on removing US tariffs on Irish whiskey are still ongoing after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the move at his Doonbeg golf course last month. Whiskey made in Ireland and sold into the US is currently subject to a 10% tariff, putting it at a disadvantage with Scotch whisky and Northern Ireland whiskey which currently have zero tariff.
The Full Story
DOONBEG, IRELAND – SEPTEMBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he prepares to present the winner’s trophy to Ireland’s Shane Lowry (not pictured) on the final day of the Irish Open on September 13, 2026 in Doonbeg, Ireland. Last month at the Irish Open US President Donald Trump announced he was taking tariffs off Irish whiskey. However, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said that work is still ongoing on removing the existing 10% tariff.
“Intensive engagement with the US Trade Representative on technical implementation is still ongoing,” the spokesperson said. They added that the Department wants to see the changes implemented “as soon as possible”. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee said yesterday that Ireland’s position is to see zero tariffs for all EU spirits. She was speaking ahead of an informal meeting of European trade ministers, as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency.
What This Means
The Irish Whiskey Association said it remains in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC “where recognise the importance of this tariff removal for Irish businesses”. The association’s director, Eoin Ó Catháin, said the association “warmly welcomed” Mr Trump’s announcement. He noted that a “similar announcement on UK whiskey took three months to be fully implemented.” European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said “we need to wait to see the details on how the US proposes to turn this into law”. France’s Trade Minister Nicolas Forissiers said: “I noticed that the Irish whiskeys have no duties now.” It should be the same for the French cognac. The removal of US tariffs on Scotch whisky took around three months to move from announcement to implementation.
Consumer Takeaway
The industry looks forward to a return to tariff-free trade with the US, which will benefit businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. The association noted that the US is the biggest market for Irish whiskey, and they are looking forward to this tariff liberalisation being realised.
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