King Charles Rang Trump's Bell and a 10% Tariff on Scotch Whisky Was Lifted

The announcement on President Trump's Truth Scoail channel was simple:

Chris Swonger, president, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.,quickly responded, saying DISCUS was "thrilled" and thanked President Trump "for his leadership on this issue.

"The removal of the 10% tariff on UK whisky would be a major victory for American hospitality businesses that are deeply impacted by international trade. The United States and the United Kingdom share a deep and enduring spirits tradition built on generations of craftsmanship, agriculture and market access."

The UK government confirmed this applied to all whisky tariffs including Irish whisky.

Trump said the tariffs and restrictions related to "Scotland's ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important industries within Scotland and Kentucky", and noted how the two areas were linked through the use of wooden barrels.

At a press conference Thursday (4/30), Trump said, "I just took all the restrictions off, so Scotland and Kentucky can start dealing again.

The main customer for Kentucky's used bourbon barrels is the Scotch industry, which has been importing around £200 million, OR $272.08 million, each year.

Behind the announcement is a master class in diplomacy by King Charles III, who was here on a state visit where he met with President Trump. The Scottish and UK governments had lobbied for the 10% tariff rate to be reduced or removed. That would benefit both UK and US distillers they argued.

But we would argue the deciding factor was logic as much as anything was the presentation of a ship's bell, which hung on the HMS Trump, am Australian submarine, for 40 years. Charles presented it to Trump as a "personal gift" gift during Tuesday night's state dinner.

Here's King Charles making the presentation:

Biello Praises End of Whisky Tariff

Michael Biello, president, American Whiskey Association, commended President Trump for his decision to lift the 10% tariff on whiskey.

"This decision recognizes something our industry has long understood: American whiskey, Scotch whisky, UK whisky and Irish whiskey are connected through agriculture, craftsmanship, hospitality, tourism, trade, barrels — and friendship. The barrel trade is central to that story. American white oak barrels that first mature bourbon and other American whiskeys often go on to help shape great whiskies around the world. When barriers come down, that entire ecosystem becomes stronger," Biello said. He added:

"President Trump’s decision sends an important signal at a critical time. Open markets, strong alliances and great spirits belong together. Trade policy should build confidence between close partners, support jobs, strengthen hospitality and reward quality — not create uncertainty for producers, exporters, restaurants, bars and consumers.

"AWA recognizes the hard work and sustained advocacy of the Scotch Whisky Association, Irish Whiskey Association, UK Spirits Alliance and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States in advancing fair spirits trade. Their leadership helped keep zero-for-zero spirits trade, market access and the broader value of the global spirits network at the center of the conversation," Biello said.

Kentucky Distillers: Reciprocal, Tariff-Free Trade Restored, Aids 24,000 Jobs

Eric Gregory, president, Kentucky Distillers Assocaition, praised the lifting of the 10% tariff of UK whiskey. This action restores reciprocal, tariff-free trade between our historic spirits and is especially important for Kentucky, as Scotch distillers have long been the largest export market for Kentucky’s used Bourbon barrels.