The United States, the third largest market for Grana Padano PDO, risks becoming less accessible due to new duties imposed by the Trump administration, which will raise the price of the cheese by 20%. In 2024, with 215,000 wheels exported and a 10.53% growth over 2023, Grana Padano continued to strengthen its presence in the US. However, the Protection Consortium is sounding the alarm: the duty will rise from the current €2.40 per kg to nearly €6 per kg, making the product less competitive. The Consortium's Director General, Stefano Berni, criticizes the decision and stresses the urgency of political and diplomatic intervention: “Italian and European institutions must act immediately to protect our exports from these unjustified duties”. According to experts, the price hike could encourage the spread in the U.S. of “Italian sounding” products, which imitate traditional Italian names without offering the same quality and authenticity.