Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Cheese Name Dispute Becomes Stumbling Block in U.S.-Mexico Talks
The United States and Mexico are arguing about what certain cheese names should mean.
The European Union wants names like feta and Parmigiano Reggiano protected for cheeses made in particular places.
The United States says some of these names are common terms that its cheese makers should be allowed to use.
Mexico signed a trade agreement with the European Union that includes these protections.
However, Mexico has not yet completed the steps needed to put the agreement into force.
The disagreement is affecting separate trade talks between the United States and Mexico.
The United States sells about $1 billion in cheese to Mexico each year.
Some Mexican cheese sellers support European imports because they expect lower prices and more variety.
Other Mexican producers worry that inexpensive U.S. cheese hurts local businesses.
The United States opposes Mexico’s trade agreement with the European Union, which protects hundreds of region-linked product names.
Washington says the pact could prevent U.S. producers from using names such as parmesan and feta in Mexico.
The European Union says names including Parmigiano Reggiano and feta should be reserved for products from designated regions.
Mexico has signed the agreement but still needs to complete procedures, including legislative ratification, for it to take effect.
The dispute comes as the United States and Mexico negotiate an interim trade deal and discuss renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
- Who
- The United States, Mexico and the European Union, along with U.S., European and Mexican cheese producers.
- What
- A dispute over European protections for cheese names is complicating U.S.-Mexico trade negotiations.
- When
- The Mexico-EU agreement was signed in May; the dispute is unfolding during current negotiations over an interim U.S.-Mexico deal and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
- Where
- The issue concerns cheese sales in Mexico and trade among the United States, Mexico and the European Union.
- Why
- The United States wants producers to continue using common names such as parmesan and feta, while the European Union seeks to reserve them for products from designated regions.
United States and Common-Name Producers
European Union and Regional Producers
Use of cheese names
United States and Common-Name Producers
The United States argues that parmesan, feta and similar terms are generic and should remain available to U.S. producers selling in Mexico.
European Union and Regional Producers
The European Union argues that names such as Parmigiano Reggiano and feta should be reserved for cheeses produced in specified regions.
Geographical indication rules
United States and Common-Name Producers
The U.S. trade office says the EU’s geographical-indication system is harmful, costly and unnecessary when producers outside Europe must use labels such as “imitation feta” or “asiago-style.”
European Union and Regional Producers
European producers say geographical indications protect regional traditions, identity and smaller-scale production from mass-produced alternatives.
Effect on Mexican cheesemakers
United States and Common-Name Producers
U.S. exporters emphasize their market access and say their cheeses have performed well in international competitions; consumers also value some processed cheeses for their low cost and long shelf life.
European Union and Regional Producers
Some Mexican sellers and producers support lower tariffs on European cheese and say cheap U.S. imports undercut local production, while European products would serve a higher-end market.
- U.S. cheese exports to Mexico
- About $1 billion annually
- European Union dairy exports to Mexico
- About $200 million annually
- Share of Mexico’s domestic cheese consumption supplied by imports
- Nearly 30%
- Mexico-EU agreement
- Signed in May; Mexico has not completed ratification procedures
- Protected product names
- The agreement covers hundreds of European products linked to specific regions
- U.S. trade deficit in cheese with the EU
- $1.2 billion, according to the U.S. trade office
- Relevant trade frameworks
- An interim U.S.-Mexico deal and renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement are under discussion
