The U.S. Commerce Department slashed expected tariffs on imports of Italian pasta, which the Trump administration previously proposed at 92% due to fears of dumping. The new rate will instead range between roughly 2% and 14% after the Commerce Department concluded the country addressed many initial concerns.
What is dumping?
Dumping is a trade practice where companies send a glut of products to another country — in this case, the U.S. — at much lower prices to undercut the competition.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
Which specific companies are affected?
The Commerce Department earlier this week reduced the proposed duties on more than a dozen Italian pasta exporters, including La Molisana at 2.26% and Garofalo at 13.89%. Eleven other companies — Agritalia; Aldino; Antiche Tradizioni di Gragnano; Barilla; Gruppo Milo; Pastificio Artigiano Cav. Giuseppe Cocco; Pastificio Chiavenna; Pastificio Liguori; Pastificio Sgambaro; Pastificio Tamma and Rummo — will now face an added duty of 9.09%. This is on top of a baseline tariff of 15% that remains in place on many European exports to the U.S.
Reaction
Some companies had openly worried that the antidumping tariffs could freeze them out of the U.S. market. The Italian foreign ministry says the drastic reduction in proposed tariffs shows the U.S. recognizes Italian companies’ willingness to cooperate.
“This post-preliminary analysis indicates that Italian pasta makers have addressed many of Commerce’s concerns raised in the preliminary determination, and reflects Commerce’s commitment to a fair, transparent process,” a Commerce Department spokesperson told The Hill.
What’s next
The anti-dumping tariffs are not final as a U.S. investigation into dumping continues, with official results expected in March.
The antidumping order on pasta from Italy dates back to 1996, with the current review analyzing pasta exports from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, a period that preceded the current Trump administration.
“Commerce will continue to engage with interested parties to take into account all information before issuing the final determination,” the commerce spokesperson added.
The major reduction in Italian pasta duties comes just after the Trump administration announced it was putting off previously announced tariffs on furniture and kitchen cabinets until 2027.