Greece’s famous, unique and commercially protected cheese, the Feta, is under attack. The USA has asked the European Union to scrap “the protected designation of origin PDO” label so that American milk producers bring also a white-cheese mass they call “Feta”, promote it and trade it accordingly.
The US-European Union tariff dispute is escalating as the three-month extension to the negotiations nears its end. President Donald Trump had temporarily suspended the imposition of 10% tariffs on US trading partners, with the exception of China, where tariffs were increased to 145%.
In addition to energy products such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and defense systems, the US is seeking to increase agricultural exports to the European market.
One of the main obstacles they identify is Geographical Indications (GI), such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) designations, which protect traditional European products, and is something that directly concerns Greece and especially dairy producers.
Greek Feta and Italian Parmesan are being reportedly mentioned in the recent “2025 Special 301 Report” of the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) as typical cases where geographical indications are used to prevent access of American markets in European and international markets.
According to the report, geographical indications are considered a “significant challenge” for the US.
As reported, the US side seeks, through bilateral and multilateral channels, to secure access to foreign markets.
The EU’s geographical indications agenda remains particularly worrying because it significantly undermines the protection of trademarks held by US producers and imposes market access barriers for US-made products that rely on the use of common names, such as “Parmesan” or “Feta.”
Greek salad: Feta cheese is very soft when very young and turns harder the older it gets.
Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep milk or from a mixture of sheep and goat milk. It is soft, with small or no holes, and no skin. Its flavor is tangy and salty, ranging from mild to sharp depending on its age. Feta is used in salads and savory pastries, or served plain with olive oil and oregano and herbs.
It is also grilled and can be cooked with shrimps and garlic in famous Greek dish Garides Saganaki.
Feta has been Since 2002, feta has been a protected designation of origin in the European Union since 2002.
Greek Feta producers are already highly concerned as they stated to TV channels. They have fought several fights in international courts to protect the original product anyway.
PS Bet the next dairy product the US will challenge is Greek Yogurt.