Irish whiskey producers fear job losses over tariff threats

Trump threatens 200% tariff on all EU alcoholic drinks

Irish distilleries exported €1bn in whiskey around the world last year, 40% of which went to the US.

Ireland's Whiskey industry said jobs, investments and businesses are at risk if tariffs are implemented by the US.

Irish distilleries exported €1bn in whiskey around the world last year, 40% of which went to the US.

However, US President Donald Trump issued fresh threats to the EU today saying he would impose a 200% tariff on European wine, champagne and other spirits if the EU goes ahead with a tariff on American whiskey from April 1.

Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association was in Washington DC this week to promote the iconic Irish products. "There is no winner in a trade war. The imposition of tariffs will impact on our businesses and our consumers," he said. 

"Having our sector implicated in this dispute puts jobs, investments and businesses at risk and has the potential to be devastating for Irish Whiskey," he said.

The Association said the EU and US governments introduced tariff-free trade in 1997 and the value of the sector increased exponentially in the years that followed. "We call on them to continue that legacy and maintain the tariff-free environment for EU and US whiskey alike."

"Our products are bound to the land – Irish Whiskey will always be Irish, just as Kentucky bourbon will always be Kentuckian. There is no winner in a trade war."

The wider spiritsEUROPE representative body urged the EU and US to keep spirits out of unrelated disputes. “The clock is ticking. We urge the EU & the US to keep spirits out of unrelated disputes while they work on resolving their differences and protecting the vitally important transatlantic trade relationship," Pauline Bastidon, Trade & Economic Affairs Director at spiritsEUROPE said.