Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky leaders meet to discuss global trade
The representative bodies of the Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky industries - Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) and the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) – met in Dublin last week for a bi-lateral meeting aimed at protecting the future of the whiskey sector in the face of global trading uncertainty.
The meeting came at a pivotal moment for both associations and just days before US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he planned to remove tariffs on Scotch Whisky being imported into the US. The US Trade Representative has since confirmed that this preferential treatment will extend to all whiskey produced in the United Kingdom while continuing the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement agreed by the governments of the US and UK last year.
This move was welcomed by the Irish Whiskey Association on behalf of Irish Whiskey in Northern Ireland, and hailed as a first step towards greater tariff liberalisation for the sector. Overall, these developments highlight the importance of continued engagement to secure a fair and comprehensive resolution for all spirits producers.
SWA Chief Executive Mark Kent welcomed the move: “We are hugely grateful for the sustained efforts on both sides of the Atlantic. For months, many have worked tirelessly to return zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and bourbon. The special relationship that the Scotch Whisky and American Whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement.”
Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the IWA, urged the European Commission and the Irish Government to continue prioritising spirits within the EU-US framework. “We are continuing to work with US partners – representatives of the sector, cooperages, distillers, hospitality, retail – as well as EU and UK distillers to restore the zero-for-zero trading arrangement for the benefit of all.”
The export value of Irish Whiskey is estimated at around €1 billion annually, with Scotch Whisky exports valued at around £5.3 billion in 2025. Both industries contribute greatly to the agri-food exports of their respective countries, underlining their scale and importance even as trading conditions shift. At the same time, both industries have had to deal with significant headwinds as global economies grapple with the rising cost of living, as well as the impact of tariffs in both Scotch and Irish Whiskey’s most valuable export market, the United States.
While tariff and non-tariff barriers in key global markets remain a longstanding concern, there was also cause for celebration. Recently concluded trade agreements with India have the potential to open access to the world’s largest brown spirits market. India is emerging as a key growth destination: it is one of Irish Whiskey’s top five international markets, and has grown in recent years to become Scotch Whisky’s largest export market by volume, with the SWA hailing the potentially transformative impact of the UK-India FTA when it was announced last year.
Discussions in Dublin focused on the need for a stable and predictable global trading environment. Both associations highlighted shared challenges for producers including increased input costs and excise duty, as well as the impact of rising inflation on consumer demand. Both also stressed the importance of a supportive domestic market to foster business confidence and investment for the future.
Speaking after the meeting, Helen Mulholland, Chair of the IWA and master blender with Sazerac of Ireland, said: “The Irish Whiskey Association’s priority is to protect the integrity of Irish Whiskey while supporting its global growth. We are pleased to work closely with our colleagues in the Scotch Whisky Association, who share our commitment to strengthening the category. Together, Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky demonstrate the value our islands bring to the global spirits sector, and that value deserves to be recognised and supported.”
The Irish drinks sector supports around 10,000 jobs across the brewing, distilling, agriculture and tourism industries while Scotch Whisky supports over 40,000 jobs across Scotland, rising to 66,000 across the UK. Both categories have a strong presence among rural communities across Scotland and Ireland, where they are key for employment, tourism and the wider supply chain.
Rita Greenwood, Chair of the Scotch Whisky Association and Chief Investment Officer with William Grant & Sons, said: “Whisky continues to make a major contribution to the Scottish and Irish drinks, tourism and hospitality sectors. We will continue to work closely with our international partners, such as the Irish Whiskey Association, to address shared challenges, explore new markets and support the long-term growth of the industry.”
Mr Ó Catháin added, “I was delighted to welcome our Scotch Whisky Association colleagues to Ireland, at a time when we have so much to discuss. The past year has been a turbulent one for whiskey producers across our islands, therefore solidarity between our categories has never been more important. Our focus is now shifting to responding to changing economies, consumer preferences, markets – an ample opportunity to share best practice and learnings and ensure our continued and mutual success.”
