US President Donald Trump has used his speech at the Irish Open prizegiving ceremony in Doonbeg to announce he is to remove tariffs from Irish whiskey.
In an unexpected move, he told the crowd who had congregated on the 18th green that he had spoken with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Irish Open winner Shane Lowry about US tariffs on Irish whiskey.
He said: “I want to mention one thing. Taoiseach and I talked about it and Shane talked about it and everyone has been bugging me saying ‘would you do me a favour? 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 crowd erupted into cheers and a round of applause.
Trump announces removal of US tariffs from Irish whiskey
It is understood the Taoiseach raised the issue of tariffs on Irish whiskey with Mr Trump during their meeting at Farmleigh yesterday and the US President promised to look at it.
They also discussed the issue a number of times over weekend and again at lunch in Doonbeg today.
The announcement came at the end of Mr Trump’s two-day visit to Ireland. Earlier today, the US President said he “loved” his comments in support of Irish unification.
The previous day, he had said it was “going to happen eventually” so “it may as well happen now”.
Announcement welcomed
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris also welcomed the announcement.
“A welcome announcement of economic significance from President Trump this evening that reflects the very positive engagement we’ve had with the US administration on tariffs over the 18 months.
“Irish whiskey is a world-renowned product, supporting jobs and communities right across Ireland.”
Whiskey body ‘delighted’ with announcement
Director of the Irish Whiskey Association Eoin Ó Catháin said the Irish whiskey sector are “delighted” with the announcement.
Mr Ó Catháin said: “The US is our biggest market, it represents thousands of jobs, millions in investments and it has been under pressure, I suppose, over the last year and a bit because of that tariff.
“We’re delighted to see it removed.
“We’ll continue to work with all of our colleagues in the US, in Brussels, here in Dublin to ensure this full tariff liberalisation will take place.”
He added the association would “like to see a return to the zero-for-zero trading arrangement for all of our drinks exports.”
‘Distillers better start sending me a cheque,’ says Lowry
Irish Open champion Shane Lowry joked Irish distillers better send him a cheque following Mr Trump’s announcement.
Speaking at a press conference after receiving his Irish Open title, Mr Lowry said he had attended a dinner with Mr Trump last night but the US president had not told him he was changing his plans to stay to watch him win, as had been suggested.
“He also announced he was removing tariffs on whiskey because of me … so distillers better start sending me a cheque,” he laughed.
Asked whether he had put pressure on Mr Trump to lift the Irish whiskey tariffs, he joked “I’ll take credit for that”.
The EU struck an accord with the Trump administration last year fixing a limit of 15% on EU products entering the US market. Its key exports to the United States had declined because of the tariffs.
Whiskey made in the Republic of Ireland sold into the US is subject to a 10% tariff.
This puts it at a disadvantage with scotch and Northern Irish whiskey which currently has zero tariff.
Last month, new figures showed that Irish whiskey export volumes to the EU rose by 21.5% over the last four years, with the EU single market now a key destination for the sector.
