- The Irish Whiskey Association and Scotch Whisky Association met in Dublin.
- Discussions focused on protection of the whiskey sector amid global trade uncertainty.
- US tariff removal on Scotch Whisky received a welcome from the Irish side.
- Both groups examined input costs excise duty and inflation effects.
- Export values stood at €1 billion for Irish Whiskey and £5.3 billion for Scotch Whisky.
The Irish Whiskey Association and the Scotch Whisky Association have met in Dublin to discuss global trade issues for the whiskey sector.
The meeting took place last week ahead of developments on tariffs for whiskey imports into the United States. Eoin Ó Catháin from the Irish Whiskey Association and Mark Kent from the Scotch Whisky Association participated in the discussions.
The US Trade Representatives confirmed preferential treatment, announced b y Donald Trump, that remove tariffs on Scotch Whisky. The Irish Whiskey Association welcomed the step on behalf of producers in the six counties but have expressed concerns that this creates a disparity. Both associations shared evidence of challenges that included input costs and excise duty.
Export value of Irish Whiskey is €1 billion annually while Scotch Whisky exports stood at around £5.3 billion in 2025. Both industries support employment in rural communities across Ireland and Scotland. Talks also addressed recent trade agreements with India that opened potential access to a major market.
