Trump Ends Tariff on Scotch Whisky Imports

President Trump said on Sunday that he would remove tariffs on Scotch whisky imports to the United States, ending a 10% duty that had been in place and giving Scotland’s whisky industry a long-sought reprieve in its largest export market.

Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account after the visit to Washington by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. In his post, he said he was lifting the tariffs and related restrictions in honor of the royal couple, who had just left the White House and were returning to Britain. The move came at the end of a state visit that had drawn attention in both countries and revived discussion of trade ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.

The Scotch Whisky Association welcomed the decision, calling it a major boost for distillers at a time when the sector has been under pressure from higher costs and weaker demand in some markets. Mark Kent, the group’s chief executive, said the change would help companies that have been working for months to restore zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and bourbon. He said the industry could now focus again on expanding the benefits that Scotch and American whiskey bring to workers and communities in both countries.

The tariff removal matters because the United States is one of the most important destinations for Scotch whisky exports. Industry officials have argued that even a 10% duty can affect pricing, margins and shelf space, especially for smaller producers trying to compete with domestic spirits and other imported brands. The change is also likely to be watched closely by American whiskey makers, who have long had an interest in reciprocal access to overseas markets.

Trade between Scotland and the United States has also been shaped by practical links beyond finished bottles. The two industries rely on each other for materials, including wooden casks used in maturation, which has made tariff policy a recurring issue for producers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The announcement did not include a detailed timetable for implementation or any formal regulatory language. It was made as a political statement tied to the royal visit, but it immediately raised expectations among exporters that Scotch whisky could regain a more favorable position in U.S. stores, bars and duty-free channels.