Irish golf fans chanted "U-S-A" and cheered President Donald Trump after removal of U.S. tariffs on Irish whiskey

Irish golf fans chanted "U-S-A" and cheered President Donald Trump after he announced the removal of U.S. tariffs on Irish whiskey during the trophy ceremony at the Irish Open on Sunday.**

The announcement came at the close of the Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg, Ireland, where Trump presented the trophy to Irish golfer Shane Lowry after his dominant 11-shot victory . Trump told the crowd he had been lobbied about the tariff issue by "everybody," including some of the golfers .

"Everybody's been bugging me," Trump said. "They are saying would you do me a favour? It's so unfair what's going on. Could you possibly take the tariffs off of Irish whiskey? And I said, on behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off of Irish whiskey" .

The crowd responded with loud applause and chants of "USA" .

### What Was the Tariff Situation?

Irish whiskey from the Republic of Ireland faced a **15% tariff** under the EU-US trade framework agreed in 2025 . This put Irish distillers at a disadvantage compared to their Northern Irish and Scottish competitors.

Whiskey made in **Northern Ireland** and the rest of the UK faced a lower **10% tariff**, creating what industry analysts described as a "de facto tariff border within Ireland itself" . Major brands like Jameson, distilled in County Cork, were subject to the full 15% rate, while Northern Irish producers like Bushmills benefited from the UK-US deal .

### The Industry Reaction

The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) "heartily welcomes" the announcement. "Nothing exemplifies the US-Ireland trade relationship better than Irish whiskey," the IWA said .

Last year, Irish whiskey exports to the USA were worth **€450 million**, while Irish distillers collectively purchased **€80 million** worth of US whiskey casks . The IWA noted that this relationship represents "thousands of jobs and millions in investment on both sides of the Atlantic."

The association also used the moment to push for a broader return to tariff-free trade: "We will continue to work with our EU and US counterparts to secure a return to the zero-for-zero arrangement for all drinks exports" .

### The Bottom Line

The announcement was a dramatic moment on the 18th green—a spontaneous gesture that delighted the Irish crowd and earned Trump chants of "USA" on foreign soil. But details on when the tariff would actually be lifted were not immediately available .

For Irish whiskey producers, the news is a welcome reprieve after months of pressure from the 15% tariff and a weakened dollar. Some distillers had reportedly been forced to close their doors under the weight of the trade barriers . Whether the announcement translates into formal policy—and when—remains to be seen.

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**Disclaimer:** This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, trade, or legal advice. The views expressed are based on publicly available information from news reports as of September 13, 2026. Trade policy and tariff implementation timelines are subject to change. Before making any business or financial decisions based on the content of this article, please consult with qualified professionals who can evaluate your specific situation.