Italy is feeling the effects of President Donald Trump's tariff policy. A large share of Italian exports, like the famous pecorino cheese, goes to the US. Now one Italy's top pecorino producers is worried.
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00:00This cheese is Daniele de Roma's biggest pride.
00:06His family has been crafting it for generations, Pecorino Romano.
00:11The iconic Italian cheese is made just outside of Rome, from sheep's milk.
00:16He uses an old recipe handed down over time.
00:20It's this deep-rooted tradition that gives the cheese its bold flavor and unmistakable character.
00:26Here at our plant, we produce Pecorino Romano DOP.
00:31That label means every step happens right here in Lazio.
00:35You'll see the RM stamp. That shows we're in the province of Rome.
00:39This is our dairy farm in Torita Tiberina.
00:42And on the wheel, you'll also see the month of production.
00:49But now, Daniele de Roma's cheese business and the livelihood of his 50 employees are under pressure.
00:55Around 35% of all locally produced Romano Pecorino is exported to the US.
01:01But the new 10% import tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump could soon cut him off from this key market.
01:09We might not see the whole market vanish, but even if we are just losing part of it, that means more cheese flooding the domestic market here in Italy.
01:21That would mean more supply than demand, and this oversupply could push prices down across the board, creating a ripple effect through the entire supply chain.
01:31We might not see the whole market.
01:35Daniele knows that like his Pecorino, much of Italy's economy depends on exports.
01:40From sheep to cheese, craftsmanship here is tied to global markets.
01:45Italy is the EU's second largest exporter to countries outside the Union, just behind Germany.
01:51And with the US as one of its biggest importers, Italy is especially exposed to the new tariffs.
02:01Andrea De Petris has been studying international markets for years and shares the worries of Italian producers.
02:09The big question is how long and how much American consumers will be ready to pay more, so higher prices to the same products in the future.
02:21This could lead to simply decision to consume less, unless the Italian producers are ready to lower their prices in order to cover partially the effects of the tariffs.
02:33But for high-class products like Italian cheese and ham, lowering prices just isn't an option.
02:39The quality is non-negotiable, and so are the costs for most producers.
02:45And the bigger picture isn't much brighter.
02:47Italy's economic outlook has been shaky in recent years.
02:51In 2024, GDP growth stalled at under 1%, and the country still carries one of the highest debt levels in Europe.
02:59Italians are split on how the trade war around tariffs will play out.
03:05It will hurt enormously a big part of the Italian market, and the Italians will suffer for this ultimately.
03:13Italian Pecorino is an excellent product, and I believe that Americans who are used to buying our Pecorino will continue to do so, even if it costs 30% more.
03:22Italian Pecorino is another chunk in later, the Italian company will build more and more.
03:27We might be able to try and improve the internal economy or find new partners either inside of the European Union or outside of Europe.
03:34The idea of finding new markets for his beloved cheeses is also on Vincenzo Mancino's mind.
03:39He's been selling Pecorino and other high-quality cheeses in Rome for years.
03:44for years. For him, this trade war isn't just about pointing fingers. It's a wake-up call
03:51showing where Italians and Europeans can take action into their own hands.
04:01We should set aside the idea of full-blown self-sufficiency because it could be a mistake.
04:06We should rather pay closer attention to local and national production. Buying locally isn't
04:14just an economic or political gesture, it's also a way to preserve our traditions.
04:22Back at the production plant, Daniele De Roma shows us the result of his hard work. Picurino
04:28Romano and other traditional cheeses aging on site. His annual output stands at one million
04:35kilos, and he has no intention of slowing down.
04:43My hope for the future is to continue informing consumers about all the hard work that goes
04:48into every single wedge of cheese found on the shelves. And I hope to continue carrying
04:54forward this millennia-old cheese tradition.
05:00While the challenges of tariffs loom large, Italians are hopeful that there will soon be
05:04an end to this trade war, so that Italy's cultural food heritage can be kept alive for years to come.