One of the country's leading gin makers has described the 15% US tariffs on Irish drinks imposed by the US Government as an 'obstacle we don't need'.

The industry's worst fears were confirmed after the Framework Trade Agreement between the EU and US was published during the week.

It confirmed that beer, wine and spirits exports will be subject to the tariff despite attempts by Europe to secure an exemption.

Pat Rigney, co-founder of The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, told RTE it would make breaking into the US market even more challenging.

"[It] puts us at a disadvantage, particularly in relation to US spirits, Mexican spirits and Canadian spirits, because there's no tariff on those," he said.

"If you're importing a new brand and you have to pay a tariff up-front, you're going to think twice before you take it into the market - in terms of it has to prove itself."

He said the previous zero-tariff arrangement had been good for producers on both sides of the Atlantic - and he hoped further negotiations might see that return.

"It's another obstacle that we just don't need - we've been operating under zero tariffs on both sides of the pond for 30 years now and it's been hugely successful for both American spirits and spirits being shipped across," he said.

"We need to get back to that as quickly as possible."

Despite the setback, The Shed Distillery has mounted a multi-million dollar campaign to try to grow its brand further in the US, even buying ad space on New York's Times Square.

Pic: Mac Innes Photography