US president draws cheers at Doonbeg golf resort as he announces removal of levies on Irish spirit after hosting Irish Open.
US President Donald Trump concluded a two-day visit to Ireland on Sunday by presenting the winner’s trophy to Irish golfer Shane Lowry at the Irish Open and announcing the removal of US tariffs on Irish whiskey, sparking cheers from the crowd at his family’s golf resort in Doonbeg, County Clare.
Trump, who spent the final day of the tournament watching play at Trump International Golf Links, addressed spectators on the 18th green before handing Lowry the Waterford crystal trophy. The Offaly native had secured a dominant victory, finishing 23 under par with an 11-shot margin-the largest in Irish Open history-after carding rounds of 67, 62, 65 and 63.
“Everybody’s been bugging me,” Trump told the gathering. “They’re 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 announcement was met with loud applause.
Trump Announces Irish Whiskey Tariff Relief:
Irish whiskey produced in the Republic of Ireland had faced a 10 percent US tariff (previously as high as 15 percent under broader EU import measures), placing it at a disadvantage compared with whiskey from Northern Ireland or Scotland, which faced no such levy after earlier exemptions for UK products. The United States remains the largest export market for Irish distillers.
Trump said he had discussed the issue with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and with Lowry, as well as other Irish golfers including Rory McIlroy, during a dinner the previous evening. He praised the hospitality he received in Ireland and described Lowry as “unbelievable” and “a great guy,” noting that he had extended his stay specifically to watch the final round after initially planning to depart earlier.
The president’s visit began in Dublin on Saturday, where he met Martin and Irish President Catherine Connolly. During the trip he also voiced support for a united Ireland, describing the joining of Northern Ireland with the Republic as “one of the naturals of all time,” remarks that drew mixed reactions and prompts for clarification on any border poll timeline, which he declined to provide.
Lowry, who won the Irish Open for the second time (his first as an amateur in 2009), thanked Trump and Martin for their presence. In a post-round press conference he joked that Irish distillers “better be sending me a cheque soon,” suggesting the tariff relief would be valuable to the industry.
Trump’s Ireland Visit Brings Trade Boost:
Irish officials welcomed the tariff pledge. Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris described it as a “welcome announcement of economic significance” reflecting positive engagement with the US administration. The Irish Whiskey Association also responded positively, viewing the move as beneficial for producers and trade relations.
Trump’s appearance at the event-the first by a sitting US president at the Irish Open-briefly interrupted play on Saturday when his helicopter landed near the course. He watched parts of the final round from close range, including Lowry’s first tee shot, while wearing a white “USA” cap.
The visit highlighted the intersection of diplomacy, trade and personal business interests, with the tournament staged at a Trump-owned property. For Irish whiskey exporters, the promised tariff removal offers potential relief in a key market after months of competitive pressure. Trump departed Ireland having left both a sporting celebration and a policy shift in his wake.