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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14 Articles
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.
Forbes, the world's most well-conceived business and economic magazine. Washington argues that agreement would prevent future American producers from selling cheeses in Mexico under names such as parmesan and feta; understand The post Dispute on Cheeses Is Obstacle in Trade Negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico appeared first in Forbes Brazil.
Imports of cheese from the United States account for 30% of consumption in Mexico, equivalent to about 1,000 mdd. The publication Will Cheese Destroy the T-MEC? Tensions between Mexico and the U.S. for product protections increased first appeared in the CEO.
Greek feta and other European cheeses with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) find an unexpected ally on the other side of the Atlantic. More...
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