Key facts
- The US is objecting to a Mexico-EU trade deal that protects European cheese names like Parmigiano Reggiano, feta, and manchego.
- Washington argues the deal will restrict US producers from selling cheeses under generic names in Mexico.
- The US Dairy Export Council stated the Mexican government must ensure US manufacturers can continue using common cheese names.
- The dispute is occurring during ongoing US-Mexico trade negotiations.
- The EU has stated it will not alter the terms of its agreement with Mexico regarding cheese name protections.
The United States is raising objections to a recent trade agreement between Mexico and the European Union, specifically concerning the protection of European cheese names. This dispute has emerged as a significant obstacle in ongoing U.S.-Mexico trade negotiations, which include efforts to renew the USMCA and secure an interim trade deal.
Washington argues that the EU-Mexico deal, signed in May, would prevent U.S. producers from using common cheese names like parmesan and feta in the Mexican market. The U.S. maintains these names are generic, while the EU asserts that names like Parmigiano Reggiano should be exclusive to their region of origin in Italy, and feta to specific Greek areas.
Jaime Castaneda, executive vice president of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, criticized Mexico's actions, emphasizing the need for the U.S. and Mexican manufacturers of common cheese names to retain market access. The U.S. has previously expressed concerns about the EU's Geographical Indication (GI) system, viewing it as a barrier that forces producers to use costly descriptors like "imitation feta."
Despite the U.S. objections, the European Commission has indicated that the terms of the agreement with Mexico cannot be altered. Mexico's economy ministry has stated that the pact requires ratification by its lawmakers. The U.S. exports approximately $1 billion worth of cheese to Mexico annually, significantly more than the EU's $200 million in dairy exports to the country.
European cheese producers view the U.S. stance as representative of a mass-production agricultural culture contrasting with protected regional traditions. Some Mexican cheese sellers, however, support the EU deal for potentially lowering tariffs on European cheeses, while others, like Rodolfo Navarro, express concerns about U.S. producers undercutting local markets with cheaper exports.