European Dairy Association slams US tariffs, warns of market impact
Source: DairyNews.today
The European Dairy Association (EDA) has condemned the US government's decision to impose tariffs on a broad range of EU goods, calling the move “unjustified.”
Alexander Anton, EDA secretary general, said EU dairy exports, particularly cheese, account for less than 2% of total US consumption and serve a niche market rather than competing directly with American dairy products.
“These cheeses offer choice and excellence to US consumers,” Anton said. “They do not compete with American dairy products.”
The Trump administration’s so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ threaten both European exporters and American businesses, the EDA warned, restricting access to premium dairy products and potentially driving up prices in the US market.
Trade balance ‘in equilibrium’
Anton noted that the US and EU share the world’s largest bilateral trade and investment relationship, with an overall trade balance that is “essentially in equilibrium.”
“A trade dispute between the US and the EU is clearly a lose-lose scenario,” he said.
‘Enormous pressure’ on EU dairy
The timing of the US tariffs adds further strain to Europe’s dairy sector, already under “enormous pressure” due to China’s anti-subsidy investigation and ongoing global market challenges, Anton said.
“Now, US tariffs risk compounding that crisis,” he added. “This is a blow to rural economies across Europe and to the principles of fair, rules-based trade.”
He urged policymakers to adopt a “smart, not punitive” approach, warning that dairy should not be used as a bargaining chip in transatlantic trade disputes.
“These cheeses offer choice and excellence to US consumers,” Anton said. “They do not compete with American dairy products.”
The Trump administration’s so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ threaten both European exporters and American businesses, the EDA warned, restricting access to premium dairy products and potentially driving up prices in the US market.
Trade balance ‘in equilibrium’
Anton noted that the US and EU share the world’s largest bilateral trade and investment relationship, with an overall trade balance that is “essentially in equilibrium.”
“A trade dispute between the US and the EU is clearly a lose-lose scenario,” he said.
‘Enormous pressure’ on EU dairy
The timing of the US tariffs adds further strain to Europe’s dairy sector, already under “enormous pressure” due to China’s anti-subsidy investigation and ongoing global market challenges, Anton said.
“Now, US tariffs risk compounding that crisis,” he added. “This is a blow to rural economies across Europe and to the principles of fair, rules-based trade.”
He urged policymakers to adopt a “smart, not punitive” approach, warning that dairy should not be used as a bargaining chip in transatlantic trade disputes.
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