President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will eliminate a 10% tariff on Scottish whiskey, delivering a win for U.S.-U.K. trade ties following this week’s White House visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
In a post on Truth Social, the president stated: “In Honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky.”
Trump added: “People have wanted to do this for a long time, in that there had been great Inter-Country Trade, especially having to do with the Wooden Barrels used. The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking! A wonderful Honor to have them both in the U.S.A.”
The tariff, originally imposed in April 2025 as part of broader trade measures, led to a decline in Scottish whiskey exports to the United States by approximately 15% in the months that followed. British officials had pushed for its removal, emphasizing benefits for American bourbon producers who rely on used barrels in distilling.
Trump highlighted this dynamic: “They use the barrels from the one, take care of the other, and the barrels are only good for one year. In other words, they can’t be used twice. They can only be used once. But the once makes it, makes it a better substance and a better taste.” He also noted his personal habit: “I’m not a big drinker.”
Industry leaders welcomed the move. Chris Swonger, president of the Distilled Spirits Council, called the tariff rollback “a major victory for American hospitality businesses that are deeply impacted by international trade,” stating it strengthens transatlantic ties and allows spirits producers to grow, invest, and support jobs at a critical time. Swonger added: “We are thrilled to see President Trump’s Truth Social post and thank him for his leadership on this issue.”
