New US tariffs put EU dairy sector on alert

The European dairy sector as well as other industries are on alert due to the new import tariffs announced by American President Donald Trump. An import duty of a total of 30% could be imposed on dairy products. However, much is still uncertain. Congress must still approve the new tariffs that Trump wants, and several Congress members have already predicted that the president's plans will be blocked there. Trump launched the plan for the new tariffs – 15% extra on all imports into the US – after the American Supreme Court declared his previous tariffs, which he set since taking office in early 2025, illegal. Trump reacted furiously to this and almost immediately retaliated with a new tariff offensive. The new tariffs have a different legal basis and could come into effect at the end of this month, but Congress is expected to weigh in on them, it is assumed. For European dairy exports, the new tariffs mean that the normal MFN rate (Most Favored Nation) would be increased by the announced additional duty of 15%, according to the European dairy organization EDA. The expectation is that the extra tariff applies to all imports, but there is a small chance that the extra tariffs will not apply to certain sectors. If things go as feared, importers of EU dairy in the US will have a tough time, as for many cheeses the MFN rate is already at 15%. For example, for Gouda and Italian cheese varieties. The total then rises to 30%, making imports very difficult. The ruling of the Supreme Court has another side. Now that the old extra tariffs have lapsed, companies that have been harmed can file claims since, according to the ruling, undue damage has been incurred. According to reports, such claims have also already been submitted to US customs.