Italian pasta could cost more as the U.S. government weighs a substantial 107% tariff on pasta imports from Italy.
A proposed tariff introduced under U.S. President Donald Trump could render popular Italian pasta brands too expensive or even unavailable to American consumers. If enacted, it would represent the highest tariff ever imposed on an Italian food product. Beginning as early as January, the U.S. Commerce Department’s preliminary decision may raise tariffs on pasta from 13 leading Italian companies to as much as 107%.
The action stems from an anti-dumping probe initiated by the U.S. Department of Commerce in August 2024, following allegations from American companies 8th Avenue Food & Provisions and Winland Foods that Italian pasta makers were undercutting prices unfairly.
According to preliminary findings published in September, the Department proposed a 91.74% anti-dumping tariff on 13 Italian pasta manufacturers. Combined with the existing 15% baseline tariff on EU imports, the total duty could reach approximately 107%.
The affected companies include well-known supermarket brands like Barilla, La Molisana, Garofalo, and Rummo.
For U.S. consumers, this could result in a sharp increase in Italian pasta prices if the brands pass the tariff expenses onto retailers. Exporters warn that the tariffs might effectively prevent the affected Italian companies from selling their pasta in the U.S. market.
Italy ships over $700 million in pasta to the United States each year, making it the country’s top international pasta supplier. The proposed tariff has sparked backlash from European leaders. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič cautioned that the move could trigger a dispute at the World Trade Organization, while Italy’s agricultural association Coldiretti described it as a ‘mortal blow for Made in Italy,’ warning of serious consequences for food exports and consumer prices.
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