Italy Protests US Move to Impose Heavy Tariffs on Pasta Imports
The United States Department of Commerce has announced provisional anti-dumping duties exceeding 91% on Italian pasta starting in January 2026, adding to the 15% tariff already in place. The move forms part of an investigation into alleged dumping practices, where certain brands are accused of exporting products to the US below market value.
Italian Response
Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed it was working with affected companies and consulting the European Commission to push for a review of the duties. The Italian embassy in Washington has also stepped in to assist producers in defending their interests. Officials stressed that Italian firms were ready to fully cooperate with the inquiry.
Criticism at Home
The announcement has sparked outrage in Italy. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida criticised what he described as a hyper-protectionist measure targeting national producers.
Coldiretti, Italy’s leading agricultural association, labelled the decision a «fatal blow» and said it reflected former US president Donald Trump’s push to relocate production to America. The group urged both Rome and Brussels to safeguard pasta as a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet.
The US remains a crucial outlet for Italian pasta, with exports worth almost €671 mln ($788 mln) in 2024, making up around 17% of total shipments abroad.
Kursiv also reports that luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin has issued a profit warning following a decline in sales during the latest financial year.
