US Tariffs May Make Italian Pasta Twice as Expensive by 2026
Italian pasta giants face crippling US tariffs, threatening exports and consumer prices.
In a move branded by Italian media as "Trump's war against pasta," the United States has announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 92% on several leading Italian pasta brands, including Pasta Rummo, La Molisana, Garofalo, and Barilla, starting in January 2026. The decision, stemming from a US Department of Commerce investigation into alleged "dumping" practices—exporting products at unfairly low prices—has ignited alarm across Italy’s pasta industry, one of the country’s most cherished economic and cultural sectors.
The proposed tariffs threaten to disrupt Italy’s robust pasta export market, which reached over €4 billion (approximately ₹41,000 crore) in 2024, with the US as a key destination. Industry leaders warn that the tariffs could double the price of a typical $4 pack of pasta, significantly impacting American consumers who have increasingly embraced traditional Italian pasta for its quality and authenticity. Antonio Rummo, a descendant of Pasta Rummo’s founder, highlighted the brand’s growth in the US over the past six years, attributing its success to time-honored production methods. He expressed concern that the tariffs could erode this progress.
The announcement follows a recent US-EU agreement that lowered general tariffs to 15%, which had fueled optimism among Italian producers that their products would be spared. Hopes were further bolstered by the cordial relationship between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump. However, these expectations have been dashed, prompting criticism from Italian officials and industry figures.
Italy’s agriculture minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, denounced the tariffs as “hyper-protectionist,” arguing that they lack justification. Ettore Prandini, president of Coldiretti, Italy’s largest agriculture association, warned that the measures could deliver a “fatal blow” to the pasta industry, already grappling with competition from imitation Italian products flooding the US market.
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Italian pasta makers have also pushed back against speculation that the tariffs are a tactic to pressure them into relocating production to the US, a strategy previously employed in industries like pharmaceuticals. Emidio Mansi, marketing director for Garofalo, emphasized the company’s commitment to its historic roots, stating, “We’ve been in Gragnano since 1789 and are not moving.”
The European Commission and the Italian government are actively lobbying Washington to reconsider the tariffs, which threaten not only economic losses but also the cultural legacy of Italy’s pasta industry. As diplomatic efforts intensify, industry leaders remain hopeful that a resolution can be reached to protect one of Italy’s most iconic exports.
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