As President Donald Trump continues imposing tariffs on the European Union, Parmigiano Reggiano remains steadfast in its commitment to its products and expanding its footprint stateside. In April, President Trump imposed an additional 10% tariff on European imports, raising the total tariff on Parmigiano Reggiano’s products from 15% to 25%. However, the company is confident in the EU’s negotiations to prevent unsustainable and inconsistent tariff hikes that would hurt all stakeholders, especially American consumers and importers.
Despite a convoluted trade environment and economic relationship between the US and the EU, the company explains that “these numbers won’t change anything. We create value, and the process will change if we can make people understand that Italian agri-food is irreplaceable.” Though cheaper and US-made market alternatives to “Parmesan” cheese exist, the Parmigiano Reggiano is not in competition with these brands, as the company states, “American consumers who choose Parmigiano Reggiano are making a conscious, informed decision.”
In light of President Trump’s international trade policy, the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, the official body that protects and promotes the product, reports that the United States still holds the title as the largest export market of Made in Italy Parmigiano Reggiano, accounting for 22.5% of total exports. The consortium announced the opening of a US-based corporation, as well as a series of new U.S. partnerships.
Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, stated, “We want to continue to spread the message that Italy and the United States are partners.” He continues, “We sell a special product that can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world, and Americans have proven time and time again what they want. We must go beyond tariffs; we must develop projects that create value for citizens and businesses. This is not the time to feel sorry for ourselves.”
The value of Parmigiano Reggiano’s products is evident as the company has officially partnered with Tao Group Hospitality and continues to develop the Parmigiano Reggiano Academy, which offers immersive experiences for food professionals, including customized sessions in areas such as grocery retail, foodservice, catering, and specialty stores. The Parmigiano Reggiano Academy aims to educate trade professionals and transform them into ambassadors of the brand.
Parmigiano Reggiano’s expanding influence is not only confined to the culinary world, as the company has also partnered with the sports world, joining the Miami Open as the “official cheese” and becoming the official partner of The New York Jets.
As the company continues growing, it displays its dedication to consumers and their cheese. CEO Nicola Bertinelli explains, “Moving forward, we must invest even more in growing international markets–starting with the U.S., which represents the future of our PDO. We are not pleased by the possibility of new tariffs, but Parmigiano Reggiano is a premium product. We will do everything in our power to prevent rising prices from significantly reducing consumption.”
