Trump drops Irish whiskey tariffs after golfer's plea

A golf chat that apparently went straight to the White House

Donald Trump has announced he is removing the 10 per cent US tariff on Irish whiskey — after a conversation with Irish Open champion Shane Lowry.

And if that sounds like an unusual way to conduct international trade policy, it gets even more Trumpian.

Trump made the surprise announcement while speaking at the Irish Open trophy presentation at his Doonbeg resort in County Clare, with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin looking on.

Trump told the crowd that Lowry had spoken to him about the whiskey tariff during a private conversation before the golfer went on to win the Irish Open by a spectacular 11 shots.

According to Trump, Lowry and others had been asking him to remove the tariff.

Trump's response?

He announced to the crowd: "I am going to take the tariffs off!"

The declaration was met with cheers from the audience.

Ireland's whiskey industry welcomes the news

The Irish Whiskey Association quickly welcomed Trump's announcement, pointing out just how valuable the US market is to Irish distillers.

Irish whiskey exports to the United States were worth around €450 million last year, while Irish distillers bought about €80 million worth of American whiskey casks.

The association said the trade relationship supports thousands of jobs and millions in investment on both sides of the Atlantic.

It also wants the move to be part of a wider return to tariff-free trade between the US and Europe for drinks exports.

From golf course to trade deal

Whether this becomes a major breakthrough in the wider US-EU trade dispute remains to be seen.

But for one day at least, international trade diplomacy appears to have taken an unusual route:

A golfer had a word with Trump, Trump liked the argument, and Irish whiskey got a break.

And somewhere in Ireland, quite a few people may be raising a glass to Shane Lowry.

SOURCE

Yucky charms

Magically seditious

8 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Trump told the crowd that Lowry had spoken to him about the whiskey tariff during a private conversation before the golfer went on to win the Irish Open by a spectacular 11 shots.

The guy was lucky that Trump didn't play, otherwise he would have had no chance of winning

This is so Trump,if he likes you,no tariffs,if he in a bad mood,tariffs. What a loser this mongrel actually is.

So she kissed whatever he wanted kissed to make him happy and he removes millions of dollars in tariffs. No WONDER the rest of the world is laughing at the US.

And previously he warned that Ireland could face penalties for manipulating its currency.

The Scottish distillers won't be too happy that Irish whiskey is tariff free.

I wonder how long before he renames himself O'Trump?

Always happy to help out a rich Irish drunk. Did I mention he was rich? 🤑

Hahahahaha Brilliant, Awesome stuff Sir Trump !

8 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Hahahahaha Brilliant, Awesome stuff Sir Trump !

Brilliant bait Sir Troll

Obviously, those tariffs were not good for Trump's golf club business there! 🤣

On 9/14/2026 at 10:08 AM, Social Media said:

Trump's response?

He announced to the crowd: "I am going to take the tariffs off!"

The declaration was met with cheers from the audience.

What a showman

What a legend

I’ll have a wee dram myself to celebrate this piece of diplomacy and statesmanship