Trump administration officials are considering easing tariffs on Scotch whisky after Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised the issue with President Donald Trump at last month’s state visit.
The U.K. has argued the move would benefit the U.S. bourbon industry because it exports used casks to Scotch producers, said the people, who asked to not be identified because the discussions are private.
A final decision to ease the 10% baseline tariff the U.S. applies to whisky has not been made and it’s unclear whether Trump will move to reduce duties, one of the people said.
The UK industry says the trade barrier costs it £20 million ($26.9 million) per month in lost exports. At the same time, about 60% of all Scotch is aged in bourbon barrels from Kentucky, accounting for a $300 million trade each