President Donald Trump announced the removal of United States tariffs on Irish whiskey during the Amgen Irish Open in County Clare on September 13, 2026. Speaking at the tournament’s 18th green after a conversation with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and winner Shane Lowry, Trump said the U.S. would drop the ten percent levy.
Trump Announces Tariff Reversal at Doonbeg Golf Resort
United States President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement during his two-day visit to Ireland, telling crowds gathered at the 18th green of his Doonbeg golf resort in County Clare that the ten percent duty on Irish whiskey exports to the U.S. is coming to an end. The decision arrived at the conclusion of the Amgen Irish Open tournament on September 13, 2026, where tournament winner Shane Lowry claimed victory.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin had raised the whiskey tariff issue with Mr Trump during their meeting at Farmleigh yesterday and the president promised to look at it.
“Everybody’s been bugging me, saying, ‘Would you do me a favor? It’s so unfair what’s going on. Could you possibly take the tariffs off of Irish whiskey?’ And I said, ‘On behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off of Irish whiskey.’”
The announcement drew enthusiastic cheers and chants of U-S-A from spectators at the Trump International Golf Club. Trade data shows that whiskey made in the Republic of Ireland and sold into the United States is subject to a 10% tariff, leaving it at a disadvantage with scotch and Northern Irish whiskey which currently has zero tariff. Its key exports to the United States had declined because of the tariffs.
Industry Relief and Shane Lowry’s Winning Joke
The EU struck an accord with the Trump administration last year fixing a limit of 15% on EU products entering the US market. Last month, new figures showed that Irish whiskey export volumes to the EU rose by 21.5% over the last four years, with the EU single market now a key destination for the sector. The Irish Whiskey Association said the growth was achieved despite the drinks industry navigating significant tariff and non-tariff global trade complications.
Tournament champion Shane Lowry added a lighter note during his post-tournament press conference after securing an 11-shot lead. Having attended a dinner with the U.S. president the night before, Lowry joked about his influence on White House trade policy and said he had attended a dinner with Mr Trump last night but the US President had not told him he was changing his plans to stay to watch him win, as had been suggested.
“He also announced he was removing tariffs on whiskey because of me….so distillers better start sending me a cheque”
Asked whether he had put pressure on Mr Trump to lift the Irish whiskey tariffs, he joked I'll take credit for that
.
Broader Political Context and Irish Unity Remarks
The tariff announcement capped off a trip as US President Donald Trump brought his two-day visit to Ireland to a close. Earlier, Mr Trump doubled down on his comments in support of Irish unity, saying it was one of the naturals of all time
. Speaking on the second day of his trip to Ireland, Mr Trump also dismissed the diplomatic backlash to his remarks, which have dominated his trip.
US President Donald Trump has doubled down on comments in support of Irish unity, stating it was one of the naturals of all time
. However, he refused to answer questions about a timeline for a border poll and also avoided a question about Scottish independence. Irish premier Micheál Martin said there had been an “overreaction” to the president’s remarks.
On Sunday the President, wearing a white baseball cap with USA written on the front, presented the Irish Open trophy to winner Shane Lowry from Co Offaly. He met with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin Saturday and voiced his support for Irish unification. The Republic of Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1922, while Northern Ireland, established in 1921, has remained part of the U.K.
He added that the U.K.
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