US Imposes Massive 107% Tariffs on Italian Pasta Starting January 2026

The United States government is set to impose steep tariffs of nearly 107% on Italian pasta imports beginning January 1, 2026. This new tariff adds an anti-dumping duty of 91.74% to the existing 15% tariff already applied by the US, dramatically increasing the cost of Italian pasta in the American market. The measures target prominent Italian pasta producers, including La Molisana and Garofalo, accused of selling pasta at unfairly low prices between July 2023 and June 2024—an act known as dumping.reddit+2

Italy Mobilizes Diplomatic Efforts

In response, Italy is vigorously challenging the US decision. The Italian government, alongside the European Commission, is engaging diplomatically to persuade the US to reconsider the punitive tariffs. Italy's Foreign Ministry is actively supporting affected companies through its embassy in Washington and is contesting the findings of the US Department of Commerce. Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s Agriculture Minister, denounced the move as a protectionist mechanism aimed at Italian pasta manufacturers. The major agricultural association Coldiretti called the tariffs a devastating blow and warned the measures could disadvantage authentic Italian pasta by promoting cheaper "Italian sounding" imitations in the US market.news.yahoo+2

Economic Impact on a Billion-Euro Market

The tariffs pose a serious economic threat. The US is one of Italy’s top three export markets for pasta, with exports valued at nearly $800 million (671 million euros) in 2024, representing about 17% of Italy's total pasta exports. Italy exported more than 2.5 million tons of pasta abroad in 2024, generating over 4 billion euros in revenue. The tariffs could double the price of Italian pasta in the US, severely affecting demand and market share. Italian business groups such as Confindustria have already downgraded economic growth forecasts due to the added trade tensions and tariff impact.globalbankingandfinance+2

Historical Context and Broader Implications

This latest tariff escalation continues a long-standing trade dispute, with the US having imposed anti-dumping tariffs on Italian pasta before, notably in 1998. The new tariffs are part of a broader pattern of US trade policy under the current administration seeking to protect domestic industries, sometimes at the expense of longstanding trading partners. For companies like Barilla that produce pasta within the US, tariff impacts will be less severe, but many traditional Italian producers face a challenging future in the American market.unionesarda+1

This article synthesizes the recent developments, political reactions, and economic consequences regarding the US's harsh tariff measures on Italian pasta imports, underscoring the high stakes for an iconic Italian product and its exporters.devdiscourse+6