The United States is ramping up pressure on the European Union to eliminate its system of geographical indications, with Greece’s iconic feta cheese at the center of the dispute, according to tovima.com. This issue has become a key sticking point in ongoing trade talks aimed at a potential new agreement between the two sides.
In the recently released “2025 Special 301 Report,” the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) criticized the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) framework, claiming it restricts American producers’ access to global markets.
The report targets more than just feta, also naming Italian staples like parmesan, gorgonzola, fontina, and asiago. U.S. officials argue these names are generic and widely used globally, and therefore should not be monopolized by European regulations.
The EU strongly disagrees, viewing PDO protections as vital to preserving regional identity, culinary traditions, and supporting rural economies. It has embedded such protections into key trade agreements like CETA (with Canada) and deals with the Mercosur bloc.
Feta was granted PDO status by the EU in 2002, meaning only cheese made in specific Greek regions using traditional methods can be legally labeled as “feta.”
“Its name is not generic and cannot be used arbitrarily by other countries,” industry representatives emphasize, referencing a 2022 European Court ruling against Denmark for mislabeling exports.
Despite this, the USTR calls the EU’s policy “deeply troubling,” arguing it undermines U.S. trademarks and unfairly limits American products’ global reach. The report also accuses the EU of coercing trade partners into accepting these rules through bilateral negotiations.
Source: tovima.com.
