The 'Cheese War': The Conflict Between the EU and the USA Over Feta Naming

The global 'cheese war' is in full swing, representing a trade conflict between the European Union and the United States of America centered on naming rights for widely consumed products. This dispute affects millions of producers worldwide, including those in Greece, as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO—Προστατευόμενη Ονομασία Προέλευσης) products, such as feta, are at the heart of the matter.

Two Different Commercial Approaches

The European Union and the USA approach the issue from entirely different perspectives. For the European side, names such as feta, gorgonzola, parmesan, and roquefort are strictly protected under the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin, a legal framework protecting traditional regional food names) status. Feta, for instance, is considered a product inextricably linked to location, history, and tradition. Consequently, it is recognized as being produced exclusively in Greece, in specific regions, and through traditional methods.

Conversely, the United States argues that these names are not subject to geographical restrictions but are merely descriptive terms for a type of cheese ('common names'). According to this logic, an American producer in Wisconsin is considered to have the right to produce and market cheese under the name 'feta,' just as a Greek producer in Κεντρική Μακεδονία (Central Macedonia) or Ιωάννινα (Ioannina) does.

The Emerging Markets Battlefield

This competition is not limited to Western markets. The real field of confrontation is found in third countries, which may lack a tradition in these specific dairy products but exhibit rapidly increasing consumption. Regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa are the primary targets, making every new trade agreement of pivotal importance.

'Cheese Diplomacy' in Indonesia

Perhaps the most characteristic case of this unique 'cheese diplomacy' is Indonesia. It is a country of approximately 285 million inhabitants, with an expanding middle class and a massive reliance on dairy imports, which cover over 80% of domestic demand.

For Europe, Indonesia is a strategic trade partner. In September 2025, following negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that began in 2016, a political agreement was announced. Through this, Europeans secured protection for hundreds of products, recognizing feta as an exclusively Greek product.

However, this European victory proved complicated in practice. A few months later, in February 2026, the USA moved forward with its own framework agreement with Indonesia. This agreement allows American producers to use 'common names' for cheeses without European geographical ties.

As a result, Indonesia is now called upon to balance two conflicting commitments: on the one hand, to protect feta as a Greek product, and on the other, to allow the free circulation of the American version. This development demonstrates how global markets are being forced to choose sides—a decision expected to decisively influence the global trade and economic landscape.