Dispute over cheese names causes stumbling block in U.S.-Mexico trade negotiations
Washington says the pact would block U.S. producers from using common cheese names in Mexico, as the U.S. cheese trade deficit with the bloc reaches $1.2 billion.
- The United States is objecting to the Mexico-EU trade deal signed in May, which protects regional cheese names like feta and manchego, arguing these restrictions limit future American producer access.
- U.S. dairy producers ship approximately $1 billion in cheese to Mexico annually, vastly outstripping the European Union's $200 million in dairy exports. European producers characterize the dispute as a clash between industrial mass production and protected regional culinary traditions.
- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has criticized the European Union's Geographical Indication framework, arguing that forcing producers to use labels like "imitation feta" imposes unnecessary financial burdens and worsens the $1.2 billion U.S. cheese trade deficit.
- Although Mexico signed the deal, it requires legislative ratification before implementation can occur. U.S. negotiators are leveraging high-stakes bilateral talks to defend the $1 billion American cheese export market, leaving Mexican authorities in a difficult position.
- Cheese distributors like Rodolfo Navarro support the pact, noting European cheeses will serve a higher market niche, while others accuse U.S. producers of undercutting domestic prices. Foreign imports now account for nearly 30% of Mexico's domestic consumption.
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The appellation of origin of cheeses is the new alley in trade negotiations between the United States and Mexico, two Mexican government sources reported, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Mexico's Trade Talks With Washington Snag on Cheese Names as Tax Revenue Stalls
MEXICO · ECONOMY Key Facts —What happened: A fight over cheese names is complicating Mexico’s trade talks with Washington, while tax revenue stalls at home. —The cheese fight: Mexico’s EU deal protects 55 European cheese names, and US producers fear losing access for feta, asiago and gorgonzola. —The money: Tax collection fell 1 percent in […] The post Mexico’s Trade Talks With Washington Snag on Cheese Names as Tax Revenue Stalls appeared first…
The cheeses enter into the diplomatic dispute between the United States and Mexico. Washington opposes a new trade agreement signed between Brussels and Mexico, ensuring that it could restrict the sale of cheeses, such as Parmesan or Feta, which for Americans are generic names, while for the European bloc they are unique to northern Italy and Greece. Mexicans claim that the agreement does not imply competition between markets.
Dispute over cheese names causes stumbling block in U.S.-Mexico trade negotiations
Washington argues that the deal, signed in May, would restrict future U.S. producers from selling cheeses in Mexico under names such as parmesan and feta. The U.S. has long maintained those names are generic, while the EU says parmesan should be reserved for Parmigiano Reggiano from northern Italy and feta cheese from select parts of Greece.
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