Shares in Diageo (LSE:DGE) rose almost 2% on Friday after Donald Trump announced plans to lift tariffs on whisky imports following a White House visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
“In Honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He added that the royal visit “got me to do something nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking.”
Industry Relief After Prolonged Pressure
The whisky sector has faced sustained pressure from elevated tariffs and declining alcohol consumption. According to the Scotch Whisky Association, the levies have been costing the industry around £4 million per week.
Diageo, which owns major brands such as Johnnie Walker, Talisker, and Lagavulin, had previously announced plans to scale back production at certain distilleries to offset softer demand conditions.
Trade Context and Tariff Background
A trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom reached in 2025 maintained a baseline tariff of 10% on most British goods, including whisky. This was a reduction from the первоначально proposed 27.5% rate outlined by Trump earlier in negotiations.
Leave a Reply