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India slashes Bourbon tariff from 150% to 100%
India will immediately reduce its 150% import tariff on Bourbon to 100%.
The news follows talks between US president Donald Trump and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the White House in the US.
In 2024, India was the 23rd biggest export market for American whiskeys.
American whiskey exports to India were worth US$8.8 million last year.
Trade body the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) welcomed the move.
Chris Swonger, president and CEO of Discus, said: “We applaud president Trump for his leadership in securing this historic reduction of India’s prohibitive tariff on Bourbon.
“This significant accomplishment opens opportunities for US distillers to increase their exports to the world’s largest whiskey market and bolster American manufacturing jobs.
“India’s 150% tariff on Bourbon imports has severely restricted access to the Indian market for US spirits exporters for far too long.
“We thank president Trump and prime minister Modi for their collaboration. Let’s make American whiskey great in India.”
In partnership with the US Department of Agriculture, Discus has been campaigning in India since 2023 to educate Indian importers and media about the unique qualities and versatility of American whiskey and other spirits from the US.
Tariffs have weighed heavy on the spirits industry since Trump returned to the White House. Before he was reinstated, he had promised to introduce 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, which would have affected Canadian whisky, Tequila and mezcal, among other spirits from both nations.
Last week, he announced plans to follow through with his previous proposal. However, he U-turned on his decision 24 hours later, and has postponed the tariffs until 4 March.
The decision came following talks with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, who agreed to reinforce the northern border with troops, in exchange for the US’s cooperation to limit the flow of guns into Mexico.
Successful talks with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau resulted in an agreement that Trudeau would reinforce his country’s border with the US to tackle migration and clamp down on the drug fentanyl from entering the US.
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