President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will remove tariffs on Scotch whisky, touting the move as a celebration of the connection between the U.S. and United Kingdom to cap off King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s four-day U.S. visit.
“In Honor 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 Whiskey 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,” the president said on Truth Social.
Trump, who does not drink alcohol, framed the decision as one to strengthen cooperation between Scottish and Kentucky distillers and as a gesture of gratitude to the British royals. Relations between the U.S. and Britain have become strained since the start of the war with Iran.
The Scotch industry has lobbied the administration to eliminate the 10 percent tariff on its whisky for months, with support from American distillers. The lobbying effort hinged on two arguments: That the U.S. is the largest consumer of Scotch whisky and that Scotland spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year importing oak barrels from Kentucky distillers.
“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,” Trump wrote.
Kentucky bourbon is required by law to be aged in new, charred oak barrels. After those barrels are used, Kentucky distilleries often sell them to Scottish distillers, so they can be used to store and age their spirits.
Both the Kentucky and Scottish whisky industries have been hurt by Trump’s trade war. Scotch exports to the U.S. were down 15 percent in 2025, according to the Scotch Whisky Council, and U.S. whisky exports were down 19 percent in 2025, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. Most of the decrease in U.S. whisky exports, which did not see a retaliatory tariff, was due to a loss of exports to Canada.
“This deal is a significant boost for the Scotch Whisky industry in our most valuable export market,” Mark Kent, CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association, said in a statement. “Distillers can breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector.”
The announcement drew support from Kentucky lawmakers.
“As the Chairman of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, I’m raising a glass to President Donald Trump for this important victory for our signature Kentucky bourbon industry!” wrote Rep. Andy Barr, who has been eyeing a sought-after endorsement from the president in his bid for Senate.
Sophie Inge contributed to this report.
