Trump Administration Signals End to Scotch Tariffs
President Donald Trump said the U.S. will remove tariffs tied to Scotch whisky imports after hosting King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their state visit to Washington last week, a move that could ease pressure on transatlantic spirits trade.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the royal visit helped prompt the decision, writing that the king and queen persuaded him to remove “tariffs and restrictions” connected to whisky trade between Scotland and Kentucky.
The announcement follows more than a year of tariff-related uncertainty for Scotch producers and U.S. whiskey suppliers. A 10% tariff on U.K. goods, including Scotch whisky, had remained in place under the administration’s broader trade policies and was reportedly set to increase later this year.
The tariffs have created great uncertainty in the business. Industry groups welcomed the positive development.
“We are thrilled to see President Trump’s Truth Social post and thank him for his leadership on this issue,” said Chris Swonger, President and CEO, Distilled Spirits Council. “The removal of the 10% tariff on UK whisky would be a major victory for American hospitality businesses that are deeply impacted by international trade. The United States and the United Kingdom share a deep and enduring spirits tradition built on generations of craftsmanship, agriculture and market access. We applaud President Trump for working to restore a proven zero‑for‑zero model of fair, reciprocal trade between our two nations. This action strengthens transatlantic ties, brings much‑needed certainty to our industry and allows spirits producers on both sides of the Atlantic to grow, invest and support jobs at a critical time.”
The tariff rollback could also benefit American bourbon producers supplying used oak barrels to Scotch distillers.
Questions remain about the exact scope and timing of the tariff removal. The White House had not released detailed implementation guidance immediately following Trump’s announcement.
The state visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla marked the first official U.S. state visit by a British monarch in nearly two decades.
Feature photo by Zhivko Minkov on Unsplash.
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