The case began with a complaint of American pasta companies. Similar investigations are carried out every year, but they usually end with small corrections of tariffs – in the order of 1-2 percent. This time, however, much higher dumping margins were established covering the period from July 2023 to June 2024. A report of several companies, including Garofalo, La Molisana, Barilla or Rummo.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Farnesina) and the Ministry of Agriculture (Masaf) have been following the development of the situation from the beginning of September. The Il Sole 24 Ore portal, Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, assured that together with the Italian embassy in Washington, he monitors the matter: “We do not see the need or justification for such drastic protective measures to our pasta producers” – he emphasized.
For an industry that produces over 4 million tons of pasta a year, of which about 60 percent According to the Italian website, it goes to foreign markets, the American market is crucial because worth around $ 700 million a year. Industry organizations warn that additional duties can double the prices of Italian pasta in the USA, hitting both producers and American consumers.
Criticism of the Meloni government
As Il Sole 24 Ore reports, the opposition in Rome accuses the office of the lack of real actions. Senator Silvia Fregolent (from the Liberal Party of Italia Viva) said that companies need “not only declarations, but specific support and trade strategy instruments” to protect exports and workplaces.
Washington's decision is already reflecting on economic forecasts. The organization of Confinedustria reduced the expected economic growth for 2025–2026, indicating the negative impact of tariffs and geopolitical tensions to Italian exports.
