Italian Pasta Exports to U.S. Face 107% Tariffs Amid Dumping Allegations

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced plans to impose a combined 107% tariff on Italian pasta imports, effective January 1, 2026. This includes an existing 15% tariff on European Union imports and an additional 91.74% antidumping duty. The decision follows an investigation into allegations that Italian producers, notably La Molisana and Garofalo, sold pasta in the U.S. at below-market prices between July 2023 and June 2024.

Italian officials and industry leaders have strongly opposed the proposed tariffs. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida described the measure as "an unnecessary and unjustified protectionist measure against our pasta makers." Luigi Scordamaglia, CEO of Filiera Italia, criticized the decision as "a forced and opportunistic move" aimed at benefiting American pasta producers at the expense of Italian exporters.

The Italian Foreign Ministry has been actively monitoring the situation since September, when preliminary findings were released. The ministry is collaborating with the European Commission to persuade the U.S. Department of Commerce to reconsider the provisional duties before they become final.

The potential tariffs pose a significant threat to Italy's pasta industry, which produces over 4 million tonnes annually, with 60% destined for export. The U.S. market alone accounts for nearly $700 million in sales, representing a substantial portion of the industry's €8.7 billion annual revenue.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's investigation was initiated following complaints from American pasta manufacturers alleging that Italian companies were selling pasta at unfairly low prices, a practice known as "dumping." The department's report indicated that La Molisana and Garofalo did not provide complete or compliant information during the investigation, leading to the imposition of the 91.74% duty.

Italian food associations have expressed outrage over the proposed tariffs. Unione Italiana Food called the 91.74% duty "an insult to Made in Italy," asserting that the decision was politically motivated rather than based on objective evidence. Coldiretti, Italy's leading farmers' group, described the move as "a mortal blow to Italian products," warning that the tariffs would double the cost of pasta dishes for American consumers and encourage the spread of counterfeit "Italian-sounding" brands.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has stated that the tariffs are the result of a technical review and are not politically motivated. An official noted that the rates are preliminary and will be reviewed over the next two to four months before being applied.