The drinks trade has expressed concern following president Trump’s latest tariff announcement, in which he said he would raise global tariffs across the board to 15%.
Doubling down, Trump initially said that he would apply a 10% global tariff in retaliation to the Supreme Court ruling, which said his use of tariffs was illegal.
He then raised it to 15% a day later, drawing on Section 122 of the Trade Act, which allows tariffs to stay in place for around five months without congressional approval.
In a statement via his own social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said: “Those members of the Supreme Court who voted against our very acceptable and proper method of tariffs should be ashamed of themselves.
“Their decision was ridiculous but now the adjustment process begins, and we will do everything possible to take in even more money than we were taking in before!”
For Britain, the change would mean an extra 5% increase in tariffs, which includes alcohol, further damaging an already challenged trade relationship.
Particularly impacting spirits exported to the US, last week the Scotch Whisky Association pointed to a 15% drop in volume to the US last year following the 10% tariff implemented in April 2025. It can only be assumed that this will worsen with the additional 5%.
In a quote sent to Drinks Retailing, Stephen Davies, CEO of Penderyn Distillery, also weighed in on the impact on Welsh whisky. He said: “This is bad news for Welsh whisky and the entire premium malt sector, which is still recalibrating after a turbulent year.
“It’s equally bad news for the US liquor business, which will see higher prices and fewer choices.”
In the UK more broadly, it is said that UK officials are trying to persuade the US administration to exempt it from the higher rate, which would negate the competitive advantage it currently has.
If the US goes ahead with the 15% tariff, the British Chamber of Commerce estimates that it will raise the cost of UK exports to the US by as much as £3bn and impact 40,000 British companies.
