Trump says he will remove some Scotch whiskey prices after King – National visit
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was removing some prices on Scotch whiskey after this week’s visit to the White House by King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom.
“The King and Queen found me to do something that no one else could do, without even asking!” Trump wrote on social media.
Trump said people wanted this change, especially regarding the wooden barrels where Scotch and bourbon spirits can be aged. His position left it unclear whether the prices were being raised on Scotch bottles or on materials used to produce alcohol in both countries.
“I will be removing tariffs and restrictions on whiskey related to Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on whiskey and bourbon,” Trump said.
The White House did not respond to emails seeking clarification, although the post was interpreted by Scotland and industry lobbyists as removing Scotch prices.
The Trump administration in 2025 reached a trade deal that imposed a 10% tariff on most goods imported into Britain. The Scotch Whiskey Association said its export volume to the US fell by 15% after the price hikes were announced in April last year.
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The president, in response to questions from reporters in the Oval Office, said the prices were increased to improve especially the trade of barrels between Scotland and Kentucky, which produces almost all of the world’s bourbon. Barrels are used to age alcohol.
“I just lifted all the restrictions so Scotland and Kentucky can start working together again,” Trump said.
Nevertheless, John Swinney, the first minister of Scotland, interpreted the president’s statement as the removal of the tax on Scotch itself, calling it a “great success” for his country.
“People’s jobs were at risk. Millions of pounds were being lost every month from the Scottish economy,” Swinney said, expressing gratitude to both Trump and King Charles III.
Trump has used alcohol as leverage in his tax threats. Last year, he threatened a 200% tariff on European wine – a huge blow to French and Italian wineries that never came to fruition.
Foreign countries also responded by threatening bourbon and other American products.
In the end, the Trump administration removed cork from the currency, which is a big relief to Portugal, a leading supplier of the material used to close wine bottles.
Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council in the US, also described Trump’s position as the removal of the 10% whiskey tax in the United Kingdom.
“We applaud President Trump for working to restore a proven zero-sum model of fair, equitable trade between our two nations,” Swonger said in a statement.
“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.”
AP reporter Jill Lawless contributed from London.
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