New US tariffs put EU dairy on edge

Much remains uncertain, however. Congress still needs to approve Trump's proposed new tariffs, and several members of Congress have already predicted that the president's plans will be blocked there. 

Trump launched the plan for the new tariffs—a 15% increase on all US imports—after the US Supreme Court declared his old tariffs, which he had imposed since taking office in early 2025, illegal. Trump reacted angrily and almost immediately retaliated with a new tariff offensive. 

The new tariffs have a different legal basis and could take effect at the end of this month, but Congress is still expected to vote on them. 

For European dairy exports, the new tariffs mean that the standard MFN (Most Favored Nation) tariff would be increased by the announced 15% surcharge, according to the European Dairy Association (EDA). The additional tariff is expected to apply to all imports, but there is a small chance that the additional tariffs will not apply to certain sectors. 

If things go as feared, importers of EU dairy products into the US will face a tough time, as the MFN tariff on many cheeses is already at 15%, for example, on Gouda and Italian cheeses. The total would then rise to 30%, making imports very difficult. 

The Supreme Court ruling has another side. Now that the old additional tariffs have expired, businesses that were affected by them can file claims, claiming they have suffered unjustified damages under the ruling. Reports indicate that U.S. Customs has already received such claims.