US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he will remove US tariffs on Irish whiskey, making the declaration during the trophy ceremony of the Irish Open golf tournament at his resort in Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland. The announcement came as he presented the winner's trophy to Irish golfer Shane Lowry, who won the tournament by an 11-shot lead.

Trump told the crowd on the 18th green that he had discussed the tariffs with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and with Lowry. "Everybody's been bugging me," he said, according to multiple reports. "They're saying, 'Would you do me a favor? It's so unfair what's going on. Could you possibly take the tariffs off of Irish whiskey?' And I said, on behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off Irish whiskey."

The announcement was met with loud cheers and whistles from spectators, with some reports describing chants of "USA" from the crowd.

Tariff Background

Irish whiskey currently faces a 10% tariff imposed by the Trump administration on most imports from the European Union, after the rate was reduced from 15% in July. Some reports, including from the Associated Press, had initially stated the tariff was 15%, but later corrections noted the reduction. The tariff is part of broader duties on EU wine and spirit exports to the United States.

Trump's decision follows earlier tariff relief for UK whiskey. In late April, he announced a zero-tariff policy for spirits from the United Kingdom, including Scotch and Northern Irish whiskey, after a royal visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Trump said on April 30 that he gave the UK a tariff break on whiskey after the royal visit, posting on social media: "The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!" The Scotch Whisky Association said July 24 that the zero-tariff policy had come into effect.

The current tariff rate on Irish whiskey follows a Supreme Court ruling that struck down earlier Trump levies, according to Bloomberg Tax News, which noted that Irish whiskey and other EU goods are generally subject to a 10% tariff under an adjusted rate.

Reactions and Context

The Irish Whiskey Association welcomed the announcement. Director Eoin Ó Catháin said: "Nothing exemplifies the US-Ireland trade relationship better than Irish whiskey." He added that exports to the US were worth €450 million in 2025, while Irish distillers purchased €80 million worth of US whiskey casks. The association had called for tariff removal in May, arguing it would help US companies with Irish products in their portfolios and avoid uncertainty for consumers.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said the announcement was of economic significance and reflected the importance of the economic relationship between Ireland and the US. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke called the US a "vital market" for Irish distillers.

Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, called the announcement "another positive step toward reducing barriers to spirits trade" and said everyone would benefit during the coming holidays, providing "a welcome boost for retailers, restaurants, consumers and the American economy."

Shane Lowry joked at a press conference after receiving his title: "Irish distillers better be sending me a cheque soon — I must be worth a few quid to them." He said he had dinner with Trump and Rory McIlroy on Saturday night, where they discussed the tariffs, but Trump had not told him he would make the announcement.

Trump met with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Saturday during his two-day visit, which included stops at Áras an Uachtaráin and Farmleigh House. It is understood that Martin raised the tariff issue with Trump during their meeting at Farmleigh, and Trump promised to look at it.

The announcement came amid protests in Dublin and in the Doonbeg and Shannon area during Trump's trip, with a major security operation involving An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, and the US Secret Service. Trump was also greeted with chants of "USA" in the packed members bar on Saturday night.

Details on how soon the tariff would be lifted were not immediately available, and CNN reported it had reached out to the US trade representative for more information on timing.