Trump makes announcement on whiskey tariffs as he brings Irish visit to a close
Donald Trump with Shane Lowry of Ireland after he won the Amgen Irish Open (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire Press Association Reporters 2 minutes ago Donald Trump made a surprise announcement that he was removing US tariffs on Irish whiskey as he brought his two-day visit to Ireland to a close.
Crowds cheered the US President as he made the announcement on the 18th green during the prizewinning ceremony at the Amgen Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf resort in Co Clare.
Shortly after, the US president left Shannon Airpor aboard Air Force One to fly back to Washington.
Earlier, Mr Trump doubled down on his comments in support of Irish unity, saying it was “one of the naturals of all time”.
Speaking on the second day of his trip to Ireland, Mr Trump also dismissed the diplomatic backlash to his remarks, which have dominated his trip.
However, he refused to answer questions about a timeline for a border poll and also avoided a question about Scottish independence.
Irish premier Micheál Martin said there had been an “overreaction” to the president’s remarks.
On Sunday the President, wearing a white baseball cap with USA written on the front, presented the Irish Open trophy to winner Shane Lowry from Co Offaly.
He told the crowd he had discussed whiskey tariffs with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and with golfer Lowry.
US President Donald Trump at his golf course on Sunday (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire “They are 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 Irish whiskey.”
Whiskey made in the Republic of Ireland sold into the US is subject to a 10% tariff. Whiskey made in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the UK has no tariff.
Lowry joked at a post-tournament press conference: “Irish distillers better be sending me a cheque soon – that must be worth a few quid with them.
“There was a big dinner last night, and I was there and, and we had a talk, but he didn’t tell me that he had changed his plans for me.”
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