A growing dispute over cheese naming conventions is straining trade relations between the United States and the European Union, with products like feta, Parmesan and Gorgonzola at the center of the conflict. The U.S. is pushing for broader acceptance of generic cheese names in trade agreements, while European groups insist these names should be reserved for products tied to specific geographic origins. At the core of the disagreement is the concept of geographical indications. European producers argue that names such as feta or Parmigiano Reggiano reflect centuries of regional tradition and should be legally protected. In contrast, U.S. dairy exporters view these terms as generic descriptors widely used in global markets. The dispute is gaining importance as American dairy exports continue to expand, with shipments rising 20% last year to a record 613,000 metric tons. Backed by large-scale, efficient production systems, U.S. manufacturers are increasingly competitive in producing ...