US Cuts Proposed Italian Pasta Tariffs to 2-14% from 92%, Easing Trade Tensions
January 2, 2026
The US government has cut its proposed tariffs on Italian pasta that could have nearly doubled prices for many brands. Former President Donald Trump had planned tariffs up to 92% on 13 Italian pasta makers like Barilla, La Molisana, and Pastificio Lucio Garofalo, accusing them of unfairly low prices. Italy exports about $770 million of pasta to the US every year. On Thursday, Italy's government announced that the US Department of Commerce (DoC) lowered the proposed tariffs to between 2% and 14%. These new duties will be added to the existing 15% tariff on most EU goods imported into the US. The DoC said it has not made a final call yet. A preliminary report showed Italian pasta companies had "addressed many of [the DoC's] questions." The final decision is expected on 12 March. The US targets 13 companies responsible for about 16% of Italy's pasta shipments to America. Italy's agribusiness group Coldiretti warned that the original high tariffs would have dealt a “fatal blow” to its pasta sector. The European Commission said it might step in if needed. Italy's foreign ministry said the new review set tariffs at 2.26% for La Molisana, about 14% for Garofalo, and 9.09% for the other 11 companies. It added, “The recalculation of the duties is a sign that US authorities recognise our companies’ constructive willingness to co-operate.” The tariff cut came after the US delayed hikes on furniture and kitchen cabinet tariffs for another year. Duties on kitchen cabinets and vanities were supposed to rise from 25% to 50% on January 1, and furniture from 25% to 30%. The White House said it continues to “engage in productive negotiations with trade partners.”
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Tags:
Us tariffs
Italian Pasta
Trade dispute
Barilla
Import duties
Eu-Us Trade
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