Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs

Whiskies from around the world will become more expensive after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs on virtually all imported goods entering the world’s largest economy. The package includes at least 10% tariffs on all goods not subject to the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Free Trade Agreement, with higher reciprocal tariffs on some of the country’s largest trading partners. As a reminder, tariffs are paid by the U.S. company importing goods from abroad, not by the country of origin.

The European Union will be hit with 20% tariffs on whiskies and all other imports, with a 25% tariff on all imported cars. The United Kingdom will face the minimum 10% tariffs, but tariffs will be much higher on imports from Japan, Taiwan, and nearly 60 other countries. In his Rose Garden announcement, Trump accused many countries of “ripping us off” with their own tariffs and trade restrictions over the last three decades. The EU and other trading partners have been preparing their own packages of retaliatory tariffs, with a 50% tariff on American whiskey exports to Europe set to take effect April 13. The 10% tariffs are scheduled to take effect Saturday, with reciprocal tariffs scheduled to go into effect on April 9.

Reaction to the announcement has been swift already. A spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association said in a statement “The industry is disappointed that Scotch Whisky could be impacted by these tariffs. We welcome the intensive efforts by the UK government to reach a deal with the US administration, and we continue to support this measured and pragmatic approach towards a mutually beneficial resolution.”

Chapel Gate Whiskey Company founder Louise McGuane tweeted on X shortly after the announcement. Her Irish whiskies will be subject to the 20% tariff on all imports from the European Union.

There we are basically. Time to formally revise the business plan to year end. pic.twitter.com/Gs1tE9eGDO

— #WhiskeyBonder (@lmcguane) April 2, 2025

Distilled Spirits Council CEO Chris Swonger said in a statement “We urge President Trump to liberate the U.S. spirits sector from these tariff disputes by negotiating deals that get us back to fair and reciprocal zero-for-zero tariffs for spirits products. The U.S. spirits sector has been the model of success for fair and reciprocal trade for decades. During the time that we had zero-for-zero tariffs with 51 countries, our industry flourished, benefitting U.S. distillers, farmers and the wider hospitality industry.  A return to zero-for-zero tariffs with our key trading partners will enable the 3,100 distillers across the United States to partake in the limitless growth opportunities that exporting has to offer. We recognize that President Trump is working to secure fair and reciprocal trade and stand ready to work with the administration to untangle the spirits industry from the recent trade disputes so we can resume zero-for-zero trade with our major trading partners.”

The carve-out for USMCA-compliant goods includes Canadian whiskies, despite the Canadian government’s retaliatory tariff of 25% on all American-made whiskies and other alcoholic beverages imposed in March. That tariff was part of a package targeting American exports after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all non-USMCA-compliant imports from Canada and Mexico to punish the two countries for failing to secure their borders with the U.S.

This story will be updated.