The White House confirmed on Wednesday that Donald Trump has lifted tariffs on Norwegian whisky following a state visit by King Harald V and Queen Sonja. The announcement came as the royal couple met with Trump at the White House to discuss bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Trump took to social media to state the tariff removal was in honor of the Norwegian monarchs. His post read, To honor the King and Queen of Norway, we are lifting the tariffs on Norwegian whisky. The decision marks a shift in US trade policy toward Norway, a key NATO ally.
The move follows months of negotiations between US and Norwegian officials. Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on a range of European goods, including whisky from Norway. The tariffs had drawn criticism from Norwegian exporters, who warned of losses in the American market.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre welcomed the decision, calling it a positive step for trade relations. Norwegian whisky producers, particularly those in the Islay region, had faced reduced exports to the US since the tariffs were introduced.
The tariff removal takes effect immediately, according to a statement from the US Trade Representative. Norwegian whisky exports to the US were valued at approximately $50 million in 2023, with single malt varieties making up a significant portion of the trade.
Source: e24.no