During a visit to his Doonbeg golf resort in Ireland, US President Donald Trump announced the removal of a 10% tariff on Irish whiskey. Trump stated the decision followed personal appeals from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and golfer Shane Lowry. The move, welcomed by the Irish Whiskey Association, levels the playing field with Scotch whiskey, which had its tariffs cut in April. The trip was otherwise dominated by diplomatic tension after Trump repeatedly voiced support for Irish unification.
Irish whiskey tariff removal
- ▪The US import tariff on Irish whiskey currently stands at 10%, having been reduced from 15% in July 2026
- ▪US President Donald Trump announced on September 13, 2026, that he plans to remove the US import tariff on Irish whiskey
Trump Doonbeg golf visit
- ▪Donald Trump stated that he decided to lift the tariff after being asked to do so by Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Irish golfer Shane Lowry
- ▪Donald Trump made the tariff announcement during the trophy presentation ceremony for the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament at his Doonbeg golf resort in County Clare, Ireland
Irish unification comments
- ▪Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin downplayed the political backlash to Donald Trump's Irish unity comments, describing the reaction as an 'overreaction' and noting that Trump's view was not a surprise
- ▪Donald Trump doubled down on his support for Irish unity during his trip, calling a unified Ireland 'one of the naturals of all time' and stating 'it's going to happen eventually.'
- ▪British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the United Kingdom government's stance on reunification remains unchanged, noting there will be no referendum until there is majority public support in Northern Ireland
US-Ireland trade policy
- ▪Donald Trump previously criticized Ireland's trade surplus with the US, stating during his visit that the country had 'fleeced us' and describing Irish businesspeople as 'vicious bastards.'
- ▪The Irish Whiskey Association welcomed Donald Trump's announcement, stating that the US is the largest export market for Irish whiskey, accounting for an estimated €450 million in annual exports
UK whiskey tariff precedent
- ▪Donald Trump previously removed US tariffs on United Kingdom whiskey, including Scotch and Northern Irish whiskey, in April 2026 following a state visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla
- ▪Donald Trump clarified to reporters that he plans to only remove the tariff on Irish whiskey, leaving tariffs on other European Union products intact
Debatable claims
- ▪US trade tariffs should not be adjusted based on personal appeals
- ▪The United States should officially support Irish unification
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