US-Mexico trade talks stall over European cheese naming protections

Trade negotiations between the United States and Mexico have encountered a significant impasse regarding the naming rights of various cheeses. The dispute stems from a modernized trade agreement signed between Mexico and the European Union in May 2026, which provides special protections for hundreds of European products through geographical indications (GIs).

The agreement grants exclusive naming rights to products tied to specific regions, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, feta, and manchego. While the European Union views these names as protected intellectual property, the United States maintains that many of these terms are generic. Washington argues that the Mexican-EU deal could restrict American producers from selling their products in the Mexican market under these common names, potentially forcing them to use costly labels like ‘style’ or ‘imitation’.

This conflict arises as the U.S. and Mexico engage in bilateral talks for a provisional trade pact and parallel discussions to renew the USMCA. The Mexican cheese market represents a billion-dollar opportunity for U.S. exporters, with approximately one-third of Mexico's cheese consumption being imported from the United States. While the EU has completed its approval processes, the Mexican agreement still awaits ratification by its legislature.