45% tariffs on Parmigiano-Reggiano. "These US maneuvers are enormously damaging."
Reggio Emilia, July 14, 2025 – Not only It is one of the most prized and appreciated food products in Italy; Parmigiano-Reggiano is also a leading Italian product exported worldwide, particularly to the United States . For this reason, the announced increase in tariffs by US President Donald Trump , who this time appears to be going beyond the usual propaganda tone he has repeatedly displayed in recent weeks, is causing considerable concern to the Consortium for the Protection of this famous cheese.
And its President, Nicola Bertinelli, is echoing these fears: “The introduction of a total duty of 45% on Parmigiano Reggiano (to the 15% which has always been imposed, a further 30% would now be added, ed. ) represents enormous damage to a product that is a symbol of Made in Italy, which risks losing competitiveness in strategic markets such as the United States, the primary foreign market for our PDO”.
“In front "With a price that, in the coming months, could exceed 58 euros per kilo in the United States," adds Bertinelli, "a clear and coordinated political reaction from the Italian government and the European institutions is urgently needed."
This show of strength requires courage on the part of EU member states' policies, and the leader of the Via Kennedy Consortium strongly advocates for it: "Europe, at this point, must choose whether to limit itself to managing emergencies or truly work to strengthen the competitiveness of its agri-food supply chains. A courageous strategy is needed."
Regardless of the general measures Brussels appears poised to take, specific actions are needed for Parmigiano-Reggiano. Below are the substantive proposals from the producers of this prized Italian cheese: "Remove bureaucratic obstacles that act as internal tariffs within the single market," Bertinelli emphasizes, "reduce energy costs, simplify production, and provide concrete support to companies exporting world-renowned excellence. We cannot allow our producers to once again pay the price of geopolitical tensions . It's also important to consider that ours is a premium product and American consumers are unlikely to opt for cheaper hard cheeses, so ultimately the greatest damage will be suffered by American consumers, who will have to pay more to have our cheese on their tables."
Just to give an idea of the volume of business between Reggio Emilia, the other producing provinces, and the USA, in 2024 a share of Parmigiano-Reggiano wheels equal to 22.5% of total exports flew across the Atlantic: equal to 16 thousand tons, an increase of 13.4% compared to 2023.
When significant tariffs were imposed in 2019, again under Trump, Parmigiano-Reggiano was the hardest hit, with a price increase from $2.15 to $6 per kilo and a shelf price increase from $40 to $45 per kilo. Two years later, the tax was suspended, and the increase in sales that time was relatively small.
In any case, the Consortium is now awaiting news, which could turn positive even this week. It goes without saying that the brand is highly regarded worldwide; Parmigiano Reggiano is an Italian excellence that has become a symbol of high quality, fine cuisine, and well-being.
The goodness of Parmesan cheese even captivated some of the most celebrated writers in world literature, such as Giovanni Boccaccio , who even cited it in his Decameron. "In a district called Bengodi, there was a mountain of grated Parmesan cheese, on which lived people who did nothing but make macaroni and ravioli, and cook them in capon broth, which they then threw down, and whoever caught the most, had more," is the literal quote.
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