Trump says he's lifting certain tariffs on Scotch whisky after royal visit

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: PBS News/AP

Apr 30, 2026 5:13 PM EDT


WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday he is removing certain tariffs on Scotch whisky after this week's White House visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom. "The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!" Trump posted on social media.

Trump said people had wanted this change, especially with regard to the wooden barrels in which the spirits of Scotch and bourbon can be aged. His post left it unclear if the tariffs were being lifted on bottles of Scotch or on the materials used to produce alcohol in both countries.

"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," Trump said.

The White House did not respond to emails seeking clarification, though the post was interpreted in Scotland and by industry lobbyists as removing the tariffs on Scotch. The Trump administration in 2025 reached a trade framework that put a 10% tax on most goods imported from Britain. The Scotch Whisky Association said its export volume to the U.S. fell 15% after the tariffs were announced in April of last year.

Read more: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/trump-says-hes-lifting-certain-tariffs-on-scotch-whisky-after-royal-visit

[Doodley]

1. Trade policy based on flattery. How does this help US whiskey makers who have been removed from Canadian stores?

[Javaman]

4. and a bunch have gone out of business. nt

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Apparently some want the old (seasoned) barrels to reuse for their own whisky.

[jmowreader]

8. There's nothing "apparent" about it

Used bourbon barrels are the standard barrels for aging Scotch.

Here's the thing: Per United States federal law governing the definition of bourbon, only a new, charred white oak barrel can be used to age bourbon. After you dump it, there is very little you can do with the barrel in the United States. There are only so many planters (probably the biggest user of old bourbon barrels in the US) that you can sell in a year, and they empty out a lot more barrels than that.

Scotch Whisky Regulations only stipulate the barrel used to age Scotch must be made of oak. Since the Scottish government doesn't care if the barrels are used, shortly after World War II Scottish distilleries converted en masse from used wine casks to used bourbon barrels.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. I remember a few years ago reading a long article about whiskey, the barrels

and the industry, and it was fascinating. It may have been something published during the height of the pandemic related to supply chain issues.

[twodogsbarking]

2. I smell Kid Rock. But then again he smells all of the time.

[Prairie Gates]

3. Yeesh

"The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!"

So fucking tedious. This guy himself negotiated a renewed trade deal with the UK that put these tariffs in place. It's so fucking childish.

[travelingthrulife]

6. Isn't Kentucky having difficult keeping their spirits industries afloat after

Trump messed with Canada. I'm sure this will make them happy.

[Bengus81]

7. So that means our tariff rebate check should be in the mail when?