Trump to remove Scotch whisky tariffs after King Charles’s visit, offering relief to these booze makers


Whisky makers can hold up a glass to President Trump at their boozy brunches this weekend after the president announced that he would remove tariffs on Scotch whisky in the United States.

“In Honor of the King and Queen of the UK, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday. ”The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking! A wonderful Honor to have them both in the USA.”

Maybe the king and queen should visit more often!

Who wins: The largest whisky makers in the European Union include Johnnie Walker producer Diageo (DEO), Jameson maker Pernod (PRNDY), Remy (REMYF), and Wild Turkey maker Campari.

EU beverage brands already carry meaningful tariff exposure. The US has set broad tariffs of 15% on European imports and 10% on imports from the UK, Jefferies analysts noted. The 15% tariffs were struck down and subsequently replaced by 10% duties.

Jefferies breaks down the companies’ tariff exposures:

  • Remy has a net tariff impact of 25 million euros (a 20 million euro impact from US tariffs and 5 million tariff impact in China), or 15% of the group’s operating profits.

  • Pernod’s 35 million euro drag is about 1.5% of operating profits.

  • Campari’s 15 million euro impact (35 million euro gross impact annually) represents about 2.4% of group profits.

  • Diageo has flagged $200 million gross exposure.

With tariffs being dialed back, these players should see solid relief to their operating profit lines. The largest winner appears to be Diageo; Jefferies estimates operating profits will be lifted by 1.7%.

Read more: What Trump’s tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet

President Trump and King Charles III shake hands during the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn on April 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS
President Trump and King Charles III shake hands during the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn on April 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS · via REUTERS / Reuters

Don’t forget: US spirits sales declined by 2.2% in value last year, according to data from The Distilled Spirits Council, as consumers sought out ready-to-drink cocktails and cut back on alcohol more broadly. American whiskey sales fell 0.9%.

The bottom line: With pressured top lines, alcohol makers will surely welcome the tariff relief from Trump. But don’t expect the stock prices of Diageo and others in the space to rip higher until there is a sense of top-line stabilization, which may be hard given the shift to healthier lifestyles.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Trump Administration Pushes Forward With Tariffs Based on Forced Labor Laws

    The Trump administration has taken a novel approach as it looks for ways to issue new tariffs to replace the levies invalidated by the Supreme Court. It began a new…

    S&P/TSX composite down in late-morning trading as oil moves lower

    TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index was in the red in late-morning trading, weighed down by losses in the energy sector as the price of oil moved lower. The…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Trump Administration Pushes Forward With Tariffs Based on Forced Labor Laws

    Trump Administration Pushes Forward With Tariffs Based on Forced Labor Laws

    U.K. rabbi told of the Golders Green attack at Auschwitz speaks out

    How the Trump-Xi threats of trade war softened into a quieter rivalry

    Cyber-Insecurity in the AI Era

    Cyber-Insecurity in the AI Era

    ‘A generational investment’ – Liberals pledge $755 million for sports in Spring Economic Update

    ‘A generational investment’ – Liberals pledge $755 million for sports in Spring Economic Update

    S&P/TSX composite down in late-morning trading as oil moves lower

    S&P/TSX composite down in late-morning trading as oil moves lower