Trump makes announcement on whiskey tariffs as he brings Irish visit to a close

Donald Trump made a surprise announcement that he was removing US tariffs on Irish whiskey as he brought his two-day visit to Ireland to a close.

Crowds cheered the US President as he made the announcement on the 18th green during the prizewinning ceremony at the Amgen Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf resort in Co Clare.

Earlier, Mr Trump doubled down on his comments in support of Irish unity, saying it was “one of the naturals of all time”.

Speaking on the second day of his trip to Ireland, Mr Trump also dismissed the diplomatic backlash to his remarks, which have dominated his trip.

However, he refused to answer questions about a timeline for a border poll and also avoided a question about Scottish independence.

Irish premier Micheál Martin said there had been an “overreaction” to the president’s remarks.

On Sunday the President, wearing a white baseball cap with USA written on the front, presented the Irish Open trophy to winner Shane Lowry from Co Offaly.

He told the crowd he had discussed whiskey tariffs with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and with golfer Lowry.

He said: “Everybody’s been bugging me.

US President Donald Trump at his golf course on Sunday (Liam McBurney/PA)

PA Wire

“They are saying would you do me a favour? It’s so unfair what’s going on.

“Could you possibly take the tariffs off of Irish whiskey and I said, on behalf of the United States of America, I am going to take the tariffs off Irish whiskey.”

Whiskey made in the Republic of Ireland sold into the US is subject to a 10% tariff. Whiskey made in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the UK has no tariff.

The Irish Whiskey Association said it “heartily welcomes” the announcement, stating: “We will continue to work with our EU and US counterparts to secure a return to the zero-for-zero arrangement for all drinks exports.”

The Marine One helicopter is taking Mr Trump from the course to Shannon Airport where he will depart from Ireland.

On Saturday, Mr Trump sparked a row when he responded to a question from the Press Association, by saying he “would love to see” Ireland unified, adding: “It’s going to happen eventually.”

Mr Trump spoke to reporters on Sunday at his golf resort.

When asked about the diplomatic row after his comments the previous day, he said: “I loved them.”

Asked about the backlash he said: “I love my comments.”

He did not comment further when asked about a timeline for Irish unity.

Mr Trump also said it was “great” to be in Doonbeg and added: “I love Irish people.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking to the media (Liam McBurney/PA)

PA Wire

The president was cheered and applauded as he walked around his golf resort on Sunday.

Asked again about his comments on Irish unity, he said: “I have always loved the people of Ireland and it just seems to me that you have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland and it would seem to me that one of the naturals of all time is put them together.

“That’s only my opinion. Many people agree. I made what I considered to be a fairly routine comment, I have had so much support on that.”

Mr Trump said he would “say nothing” about Scottish independence, adding that he would “save that for another day”.

Asked about Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s remarks that there would be no poll on Irish unity until a majority in Northern Ireland were likely to vote in favour, Mr Trump added: “Everybody says that and then things happen.”

Taoiseach Mr Martin other senior Irish Government figures also attended the final day of play at the Irish Open.

Mr Martin said he had had lunch with the president on Sunday, but it had not been a “formal political meeting” and they had discussed investment in the area.

The Taoiseach said Mr Trump’s remarks in favour of Irish unity were “not a particular surprise” to him.

He added: “He would make the point that this is his view, he believes unity is the logical way for the island to be configured and organised.”

Asked about the political reaction to Mr Trump’s comments, Mr Martin added: “I think some of the reaction is an overreaction.

US President Donald Trump attends the Irish Open (Liam McBurney/PA)

PA Wire

“It shouldn’t be a surprise he takes a different sort of perspective on things, we know that.

“Certainly he is viewing it, from my conversations with him over lunch, he is looking at it from a perspective of looking in on the island of Ireland and logically saying it seems inevitable it should be unified.”

He said: “That is his consistent view, he believes that and people are entitled to have a view and an opinion.”

A major security operation is continuing for the visit, with Ireland’s police service An Garda Síochána liaising with the Defence Forces and US Secret Service in the area around the resort.

Mr Trump’s presence sparked protests in Dublin and Clare – but Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said there would be “no tolerance” of public disorder or attempts to impact “critical movements” of the US president.

A small number of protesters gathered close to Shannon Airport and in Doonbeg on Sunday.