WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday he is removing certain tariffs on Scotch whisky after this week’s White House visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom.
"The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!" Trump posted on social media.
Trump said people had wanted this change, especially with regard to the wooden barrels in which the spirits of Scotch and bourbon can be aged. It was not quite clear from the language of Trump’s post whether the import taxes were fully removed or only on products integral to the production of spirits in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom. The White House did not respond to emails seeking clarification.
The president, answering questions from reporters in the Oval Office, said the tariffs were lifted to specifically enhance the trade of barrels between Scotland and Kentucky, which produces almost all of the world’s bourbon. The barrels are used to age the alcohol.
"I just took all the restrictions off so Scotland and Kentucky can start dealing again," Trump said.
