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Thu, 30 Apr 2026

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 Trump to remove whisky tariffs after King's visit

The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon.

* Donald Trump has announced that he will lift all tariffs and restrictions on whisky imports, including those on Scottish and Irish whiskey, in honour of King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the US.
* The move applies to Scotland's ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon production.
* Industry representatives have welcomed the decision, saying distillers will be able to "breathe a little easier" during a period of significant pressure on the sector.
* Tariffs for exports to the US had added 10% to importers' costs, hitting sales in Scotland's whisky industry's biggest export market.
* The Scottish and UK governments had lobbied for the current 10% tariff rate to be reduced or removed.
* The decision is expected to benefit both Scottish and US distillers, with single malts being a particularly important part of exports to the US.
* The Scotch Whisky Association has said they are "delighted" by the news and estimate that the industry will lose around £150m over the course of the last year while tariffs have been in place.
* UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle has welcomed the decision, saying it is great news for the scotch whisky industry, which is worth almost £1bn in exports.