Trump’s Tariff Reversal Reopens a Major Market for Scotch Whisky

After a year of wrangling, the Scottish whisky industry has finally gotten what it wants — the elimination of tariffs on its sales to the United States.

Makers of Scotch whisky have been losing millions of pounds a week since a 10 percent tariff was imposed on exports to the United States, according to the Scotch Whisky Association. Distilleries and industry leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as Scottish politicians, had been lobbying relentlessly to have these tariffs scrapped. Despite the diplomatic efforts, it was ultimately a visit from King Charles III this week that persuaded President Trump to ditch the levy.

Late on Thursday, Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, released a statement confirming that whiskey from Britain, which includes Scotch whisky and some Irish whiskey from Northern Ireland, would get “preferential duty access” to the United States. It is unclear when the tariff reduction will take effect.

“This deal is a significant boost for the Scotch whisky industry in our most valuable export market,” Mark Kent, the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said in a statement. “Distillers can breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/01/business/trump-scotch-whisky-tariffs.html