Trump to remove Scotch whisky tariff
US president Donald Trump has pledged to drop the tariff on Scotch whisky imports following King Charles III’s state visit this week.
Scotch whisky was previously subject to the 10% baseline tariff placed on UK goods.
Trump announced in a post on Truth Social yesterday (30 April): “In honour 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 whisky 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.
“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 honour to have them both in the US.”
The Scotch industry has long lobbied for zero-tariff trade with the US. The tariff was estimated to cost the sector £4 million (US$5.4m) a week and almost £20 million (US$27m) a month.
The US is Scotch’s most valuable export market and the third-largest by volume.
The 10% tariff is cited as a major factor for the decline in global Scotch exports, which have experienced a 15% drop in bottles shipped to the US since it was implemented on 2 April 2025.
Chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), Mark Kent, labelled Trump’s whisky promise as a “significant boost” for the sector.
“Distillers can breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector,” Kent said. “We are hugely grateful for the sustained efforts on both sides of the Atlantic.
“For months, many have worked tirelessly to return zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and Bourbon. The special relationship that the Scotch whisky and American whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement.
“While challenges in our sector remain, we can now redouble our efforts to boost the benefits our two great industries bring to communities across Scotland and the US.”
US trade reaction: ‘A major victory’
Scottish distillers spend millions each year buying Kentucky Bourbon casks to age their whisky, making it a cornerstone of the economy.
In Kentucky, the whiskey industry is said to bring nearly $10.6 billion annually to the economy, while supporting around 24,000 jobs.
Bourbon, however, is also going through a tough period as the market recalibrates and some of its biggest producers – Diageo, Jim Beam and MGP Ingredients – pause production.
Eric Gregory, president of Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA), underlined the importance of a free-trade relationship.
He said: “For generations, Kentucky and Scotland have been close partners in crafting the world’s most sought‑after whiskies. The KDA applauds president Trump’s decision to remove tariffs and restrictions on Scotch whisky.
“This action restores reciprocal, tariff-free trade between our historic spirits and is especially important for Kentucky, as Scotch distillers have long been the largest export market for Kentucky’s used Bourbon barrels.
“While Kentucky Bourbon continues to face its fair share of challenges, this development is welcome news for our signature industry’s ongoing efforts to share America’s only native spirit with enthusiasts around the world.”
Meanwhile, Chris Swonger, president and CEO of Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (Discus), called the development a “major victory”.
He added: “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 US and the UK 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.”
More than just Scotch
The news was also welcomed by Martha Dalton of Never Say Die Bourbon, who said the tariff removal is “exactly what our industry needed”.
The brand’s English Bourbon is distilled in Kentucky before being matured at White Peak Distillery in Derbyshire. It is then returned to the US for export.
Dalton and her Never Say Die co-founder David Wilde are also behind The Bourbon Alliance, which campaigned to remove the retaliatory 25% UK tariff on Bourbon imports in 2022.
While an important step, she stressed that the tariff removal should be applied to other spirits and whiskies beyond Scotch.
She explained: “The UK produces great whisky from the Scottish Highlands to the English countryside, and there is no reason any of it should carry a tariff.
“As an independent brand, we simply couldn’t have launched without the reversal of the original tariffs — so we know better than most what a difference this kind of decision makes. We hope it encourages more innovative producers on both sides of the Atlantic to enter the market.
“Now let’s ride this wave. This can’t stop at whisky. Other UK spirits are still carrying a 10% tariff into the US, and Irish whiskey from the Republic is facing 15%. Let’s finish the job and lift tariffs on spirits across the board.
“What businesses need is stability – the ability to plan, invest and grow with confidence. Today’s announcement is a powerful start, and we hope it marks the beginning of a new era for the transatlantic spirits trade.”
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