Donald Trump has said that he will remove 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 prize-winning ceremony at the Amgen Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf resort in Co Clare.
Earlier, 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, Trump also dismissed the diplomatic backlash to his remarks, which have dominated his trip.
Golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Gary Player speak with President Donald Trump. Credit: AP
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 tariffs with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
He said: “Everybody’s been bugging me.
“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 and sold into the US is subject to a 10% tariff.
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Whiskey made in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the UK has no tariff.
Trump responded to a question from ITV News on Sunday as he walked to the first tee at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, on the second day of his visit to Ireland, saying: “I love my comment” on Irish unification.
On Saturday, he said he “would love to see” Ireland unified, adding: “It’s going to happen eventually.”
When asked about the diplomatic row sparked by his comments, he said: “I loved them.”He did not appear to comment further when asked about a timeline for Irish unity or a separate question about Scottish independence.
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Trump also said it was “great” to be in Doonbeg and added: “I love Irish people.”
Trump’s presence has sparked protests in Dublin and Clare, but Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said there would be “no tolerance” for public disorder or attempts to impact “critical movements” of the US president.
A small number of protesters gathered at Shannon Airport on Sunday.
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