Italian pasta could cost twice as much in the US under new tariffs

Americans may soon have to say arrivederci to their favorite Italian penne, fusilli, and more, as new US tariffs threaten to price them out of reach — or push them off American shelves altogether.

In early September, the US Commerce Department proposed a 91.74% “antidumping” duty on 13 Italian pasta makers after a yearlong probe into their pricing practices. While Italy’s pasta producers have often been accused of “dumping” — selling goods below domestic market prices — this marks an unprecedented escalation, possibly bringing total tariffs on Italian pasta imports to around 107% when combined with the existing 15% EU import duty.

Commerce officials said the steep penalties reflected the companies’ “uncooperative” responses during the investigation, while Italian officials condemned the decision as “disproportionate” and “hyper-protectionist.” Pasta lovers are equally inconsolable.

Indeed, such a levy would be a major blow to the world’s pasta capital: Italy consumes more pasta per person than any other nation on Earth, averaging over 23 kilograms each year, per the International Pasta Organization. It’s also the world’s top pasta exporter, and about half of its pasta exports to the US (and 90% of its premium lines) could be hit if the new duties stick, according to Italian industry group Filiera Italia.

For decades, American kitchens have had a soft spot for Italian noodles. Per data from the US International Trade Commission, the US imported nearly $750 million worth of pasta from Italy last year, up more than 4x since 1994 — and well above the combined imports from the next four-largest suppliers, including South Korea and Canada.

Despite the best efforts of marketing departments to associate their products with the boot-shaped nation, most pasta on American shelves is actually homegrown: The Washington Post reported that Italian-made pasta represented only ~12% of the $6.2 billion US market. For those who insist on the authentic stuff, though, brace for sticker shock: Italy’s biggest agricultural organization warns the new tariffs could double the cost of that plate of spaghetti — and some brands are preparing to exit the US market in January, per the WSJ.

The new ~92% tariffs are still “preliminary,” with Italian companies given up to 120 days from the September ruling to respond. The Commerce Department is expected to issue its final decision in January 2026, unless the deadline is extended.