Trump eases whiskey tariffs, says it's a tribute to King Charles III
Former US President Donald Trump announced today that he would lift some tariffs on Scotch whiskey as a "tribute to King Charles III and Queen Camilla." This move is expected to positively impact trade relations between the UK and the US, particularly benefiting the whiskey industry.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 09:05
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 09:31 (26 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 2, 2026 at 01:21 (15h 50m after Collected)
（Central News Agency, Washington 30th comprehensive foreign report）US President Trump today stated that in "tribute to King Charles III and Queen Camilla," he would cancel some tariffs on Scotch whiskey.
According to Agence France-Presse and Associated Press reports, just as Charles III and Camilla concluded their visit to the US, Trump posted on his social media platform "Truth Social": "The King and Queen made me do something that was achieved with almost no words, something no one else could do!"
Trump said: "I will cancel tariffs and restrictions on Scotch and Bourbon whiskey produced in collaboration with Kentucky."
When asked by reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that the purpose of canceling the tariffs was to promote the barrel trade between Scotland and Kentucky. Kentucky produces almost all of the world's bourbon whiskey, and these barrels are used for aging spirits.
Between Scotland and industry lobbying groups, this statement was interpreted as a complete cancellation of tariffs on Scotch whiskey.
Chris Swonger, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, also interpreted Trump's post as a cancellation of the 10% tariff on British whiskey.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated in a statement that the US would grant "preferential tariff treatment to whiskey produced in the UK." The US government has not yet responded on whether this means a complete cancellation or merely a reduction in tariffs.
Trump's administration reached a trade framework in 2025 that imposed a 10% tariff on most goods imported from the UK. The Scotch Whisky Association stated that after the tariffs in April last year, their exports to the US decreased by 15%.
Trump has consistently used alcoholic beverages as a tool for tariff pressure. Last year, he threatened to impose a 200% tariff on European wines, which could have significantly impacted French and Italian wineries, but it ultimately did not materialize.
Ultimately, the Trump administration excluded corks from tariff increases, much to the relief of Portugal, a major global cork supplier. (Translator: Hsu Jui-Cheng) 1150501
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According to Agence France-Presse and Associated Press reports, just as Charles III and Camilla concluded their visit to the US, Trump posted on his social media platform "Truth Social": "The King and Queen made me do something that was achieved with almost no words, something no one else could do!"
Trump said: "I will cancel tariffs and restrictions on Scotch and Bourbon whiskey produced in collaboration with Kentucky."
When asked by reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that the purpose of canceling the tariffs was to promote the barrel trade between Scotland and Kentucky. Kentucky produces almost all of the world's bourbon whiskey, and these barrels are used for aging spirits.
Between Scotland and industry lobbying groups, this statement was interpreted as a complete cancellation of tariffs on Scotch whiskey.
Chris Swonger, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, also interpreted Trump's post as a cancellation of the 10% tariff on British whiskey.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated in a statement that the US would grant "preferential tariff treatment to whiskey produced in the UK." The US government has not yet responded on whether this means a complete cancellation or merely a reduction in tariffs.
Trump's administration reached a trade framework in 2025 that imposed a 10% tariff on most goods imported from the UK. The Scotch Whisky Association stated that after the tariffs in April last year, their exports to the US decreased by 15%.
Trump has consistently used alcoholic beverages as a tool for tariff pressure. Last year, he threatened to impose a 200% tariff on European wines, which could have significantly impacted French and Italian wineries, but it ultimately did not materialize.
Ultimately, the Trump administration excluded corks from tariff increases, much to the relief of Portugal, a major global cork supplier. (Translator: Hsu Jui-Cheng) 1150501
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.