Meloni’s US visit amid trade tensions highlights industry lobbying and cultural battles over European food exports against US tariffs.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is visiting Washington, having been called “a miraculous woman” by Donald Trump, to potentially mediate trade conflicts between the EU and the US following new tariffs. Some critics accuse her of seeking special deals for Italian companies rather than representing general European interests. The article suggests that behind political disagreements, there is significant industrial lobbying and competition, particularly within the cheese sector. Italian producers fear the US tariffs disproportionately harm them, as 22% of their hard cheeses are exported to the US market, threatening thousands of jobs in the Parmesan industry. Efforts to combat counterfeiting include embedding microchips in authentic Parmigiano Reggiano. Experts view the trade disputes not just as economic issues but as a cultural battle over European identity. While some believe American consumers will remain loyal to authentic products despite price increases, others warn that these tariffs could harm US importers and small retailers too. Other cheese producers, such as Irish and Greek ones, are also affected by the trade tensions, with calls for unified European defense against the tariff war.
