Procedure for the reduction of US tariffs on Italian pasta continues

With regard to US tariffs applied to imports of pasta from certain Italian companies, the Italian Foreign Ministry recalls that on 4 September 2025 the United States Department of Commerce published its preliminary findings on the tariffs to be applied to foreign products. Among the products concerned were 13 Italian pasta brands, which were allegedly engaged in export practices involving sales to the United States at prices below market value ("dumping"). The preliminary outcome provided for the application of a tariff rate of 91.74%. In particular, the US authorities alleged that two companies designated as "mandatory respondents", La Molisana and Garofalo, had not provided sufficient cooperation during the investigation. As a result, the maximum tariff level provided for under the procedure was applied to these two companies, as well as to the remaining 11 producers, including Barilla.

The companies involved, notably Garofalo and La Molisana, immediately contested these findings, asserting that they had always provided full and unconditional cooperation. The Italian Government endorsed these arguments by submitting an "ad adiuvandum" defence brief through the Embassy of Italy in Washington, accompanied by a similar supporting submission filed by the European Commission. Subsequently, the companies involved provided the Department of Commerce with additional documentation, which allowed the US authorities to conduct further assessments of the findings underpinning the preliminary decisions announced in early September. Meanwhile, the temporary suspension of US administrative activity (45 days) due to the so-called government "shutdown" resulted in a postponement of the deadline for concluding the investigation, initially scheduled for early 2026.

Following the work carried out in the preceding months, yesterday the US Department of Commerce communicated a number of assessments - ahead of the expected conclusion of the investigation on 11 March - which significantly revised the level of the provisional anti-dumping tariffs announced on 4 September, reducing the tariffs applied to Italian companies. From 91.74%, the tariff rates - to be added to the 15% "horizontal" tariffs agreed in late July 2025 by US and EU leaders for EU-origin products in general - have now been revised to: 2.26% for La Molisana, 13.98% for Garofalo and 9.09% for the remaining 11 non-sampled producers The companies concerned now have the option, should they wish, to submit further observations regarding the announced measures. Finally, it is recalled that the implementation of these measures remains suspended until the investigation is concluded, currently scheduled for 11 March.