President Donald Trump announced he was lifting the U.S.’s 10% tariff on Irish whiskey at the trophy ceremony for the Irish Open.
Trump jokingly complained at the ceremony that everyone had been “bugging” him, including Taoiseach Micheal Martin and golfer Shane Lowry. The tariff had already been reduced from 15% earlier in the year.
“On behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off,” he said, leading to uproarious cheers that drowned him out.
Later on, when asked by reporters, Trump made the rare move of half-apologizing for the tariff, calling it “very unfair.”
“It was very unfair because others had the relief and they didn’t, so I thought I’d do it,” he said.
The move represents a positive cap on a trip that had reaped dividends for Ireland, even causing a diplomatic rift after Trump voiced support for Northern Ireland ceding from the United Kingdom and joining Ireland, making him the first U.S. president to openly voice support for the measure.
At the trophy ceremony, Trump said that Ireland had been “great,” thanking them for their hospitality during his trip.
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His positive view of Ireland contrasts with his increasingly critical view of the U.K., which he’s bristled with over issues ranging from a lack of help against Iran to energy.
Trump has also flirted with the prospect of siding against the U.K. in the Falkland Islands dispute, in favor of Argentina, which has grown close to the U.S. under President Javier Milei.