The United States has asked its European allies for help amid a worsening egg shortage, but Finland has rejected the request, citing logistical barriers, domestic limitations, and, according to some Finnish officials, a strained political relationship with the Trump administration, The Crustian Daily reports.
The crisis stems from a severe outbreak of avian flu that has decimated egg-laying flocks across multiple U.S. states, driving up prices and forcing retailers to ration supply. In response, the White House turned to Europe—specifically Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden—for emergency egg imports.
But Finland’s Poultry Association swiftly dismissed the request. “Launching exports is not a simple matter since there are no agreed rules in place,” said Executive Director Veera Lehtilä, adding that even if such agreements existed, “the amount we could export would not solve their egg shortage.”
The refusal comes amid icy transatlantic relations. Finnish officials, speaking anonymously, noted that Trump’s past threats against Denmark over Greenland and his dismissal of NATO allies as “freeloaders” left lingering resentment. One Finnish MP told Helsingin Sanomat that “Trump thinks allies are vending machines. You don’t insult your partners and then ask for breakfast.”
The U.S. has also approached other European countries, including Denmark and the Netherlands, but regulatory obstacles and ongoing supply issues caused by avian flu outbreaks in Europe have made large-scale exports unlikely.
Domestically, egg prices have skyrocketed, with some areas reporting increases of over 50%. Supermarkets in Texas and California are limiting purchases, while smaller bakeries and restaurants report scaling back or closing temporarily due to shortages.
Beyond supply issues, the crisis underscores the fragility of global food systems—and the consequences of burning diplomatic bridges. In normal circumstances, such a request would have been a formality between allies. But under Trump, even basic trade cooperation has become politicized.
As of now, the administration is weighing airlifting supplies from South America and exploring subsidies to industrial farms to restock hens faster. But egg-laying takes time—and broken trust is even slower to repair.
