Negotiations still ongoing on removal of whiskey tariffs

Updated / Saturday, 24 Oct 2026 15:19

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Negotiations on removing US tariffs on Irish whiskey are still ongoing after US 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.

This puts it at a disadvantage with scotch and whiskey made in Northern Ireland which currently has zero tariff.

In September, Mr Trump told a crowd congregated on the 18th green that he was "going to take the 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.

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Watch: Trump announces removal of US tariffs from Irish whiskey

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She was speaking ahead of an informal meeting of European trade ministers, as part of Ireland's EU Presidency.

Also speaking before the meeting, France's Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier said: "I noticed that the Irish whiskeys have no duties now.

"It should be the same for the French cognac."

After Mr Trump's announcement, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said "we need to wait to see the details on how the US proposes to turn this into law".

Mr Gill said it was natural for individual countries to lobby on behalf of key industries, but said member states and industry representatives were working together to present "one voice" on trade policy.

He also noted that the removal of US tariffs on Scotch whisky took around three months to move from announcement to implementation.

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 "who 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.

"The US is the biggest market for Irish whiskey, and we are looking forward to this tariff liberalisation being realised," he said.

Mr Ó Catháin said the association noted that a "similar announcement on UK whiskey took three months to be fully implemented".

"We look forward to a return to tariff-free trade with the US, which will benefit businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic," he said.