A large share of Italian exports, like the famous pecorino cheese, goes to the US. One of the leading manufacturers of pecorino in Italy is concerned about the survival of their company.
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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.