US President Donald Trump has pledged to remove US tariffs on Irish whiskey.

Mr Trump’s announcement, which came at the end of his two-day visit here, has been welcomed by the Government and representatives of the Irish whiskey industry.

Currently, whiskey made in the Republic is subject to a 10% US tariff – putting it at a disadvantage with Scotch and Northern Irish whiskey which has no tariff.

Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Correspondent Aengus Cox told Behind the Story he cannot see other EU countries, who may be seeking a better deal for their products, taking exception to the change.

“You can only call whiskey ‘Irish whiskey’ if it’s produced on the island of Ireland – so I don’t any of the other 26 EU member states are going to have an issue with Ireland getting special treatment here,” he said.

“It’s not going to affect any other EU countries.”

He added that the move also shows “the soft power” that Ireland still wields.

Canada and the EU

Canada is seeking a “unique alliance” with the European Union but is ⁠not looking to become a member, Prime Minister Mark Carney has said.

It comes after talks for a trade deal between the US and Canada collapsed in August and have seen the two countries slap tariffs on each other’s goods.

Mr Carney will address the European Parliament in Strasbourg later this week as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also makes her annual State of the Union address.

Euronews correspondent Shona Murray said the move is being seen as a “show of unity” between the EU and Canada.

“They’re very serious about engaging on a trade basis, on a partnership basis with the rest of the world – and particularly the European Union, because these are like-minded countries.”

She said Mr Carney’s government is seeking “much more integration” between Ottawa and Brussels – although the exact details are not yet known.

“He’s not talking about a trade deal – that they have – he’s talking about close partnerships,” she added.

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