A 107% U.S. import tax on Italian pasta could make your favorite spaghetti pricier — or hard to find
Italian pasta lovers in the U.S. may soon be facing higher prices and limited availability of their favorite brands, as the Trump administration considers imposing a new import duty on 13 of Italy’s largest pasta exporters. This proposal, put forth by the Commerce Department in September, would slap a hefty 92% antidumping duty on top of the existing 15% tariff on European Union imports for certain Italian pasta brands like La Molisana and Pastificio Lucio Garofalo.
The potential impact of these duties on American consumers could be significant, according to industry analyst Phil Lempert. With the threat of higher prices or even some Italian pasta brands pulling out of the U.S. market, the pasta aisle in supermarkets may start looking empty. The White House has assured that the antidumping duty is still a proposal and not yet finalized, giving pasta makers time to participate in the review process before any decisions are made.
However, some Italian pasta companies are already considering withdrawing from U.S. stores as early as January due to the looming threat of the new antidumping duty. This move could affect popular brands like La Molisana and Garofalo, among others, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The companies in question have not yet responded to inquiries from CBS News.
Which pasta brands could be affected?
The antidumping duties would impact 13 Italian pasta makers, including well-known names like Barilla and Rummo, as identified by the U.S. Department of Commerce. These companies have been under scrutiny for allegedly selling their products below market value in the U.S., a practice that American pasta makers have long accused them of.
What comes next for Italian pasta
White House spokesperson Kush Desai explained that the Italian pasta companies involved in the probe failed to comply with data requests from the Commerce Department, leading to the proposed antidumping duty. The timeline for when these duties might take effect is still uncertain, and both the Commerce Department and International Trade Administration have not provided further details.
Italian pasta exports to the U.S. totaled $684 million last year, highlighting the importance of the American market for Italian pasta makers. The potential impact of these new duties could reshape the landscape of pasta offerings in U.S. stores, with consumers potentially facing higher prices and fewer choices.
