A new import duty on Italian pasta could be on the horizon for American consumers. The US government has proposed a 92% antidumping duty on 13 of Italy's largest pasta exporters, including La Molisana and Pastificio Lucio Garofalo. This would add to an existing 15% tariff on European Union imports, resulting in a combined duty rate of 107%.
The proposal is the result of a long-running probe into Italian pasta makers that began in the mid-1990s. The Commerce Department claims that these companies have been selling their products below US market prices, which has led to allegations of unfair competition.
If implemented, this new import duty could significantly impact American consumers, with some Italian pasta manufacturers potentially stopping exports to the US altogether or raising prices. Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst, warns that "you don't have enough domestic manufacturing to fill up those shelves," leading to empty shelves in the pasta aisle.
However, White House spokesperson Kush Desai disputes this, stating that "Italian pasta is not disappearing." He notes that the antidumping duty is still just a proposal and that Italian companies have several months to continue participating in the review before it becomes final.
Some Italian pasta manufacturers are already preparing for the worst, with some planning to exit the US market as soon as January due to the threat of the new import duty. The affected companies include La Molisana, Pastificio Lucio Garofalo, and others.
The proposal has sparked concerns about the impact on American consumers, who may face higher prices or reduced availability of their favorite pasta brands. With no clear timeline for implementation, it remains to be seen how this new import duty will affect the US market.
The proposal is the result of a long-running probe into Italian pasta makers that began in the mid-1990s. The Commerce Department claims that these companies have been selling their products below US market prices, which has led to allegations of unfair competition.
If implemented, this new import duty could significantly impact American consumers, with some Italian pasta manufacturers potentially stopping exports to the US altogether or raising prices. Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst, warns that "you don't have enough domestic manufacturing to fill up those shelves," leading to empty shelves in the pasta aisle.
However, White House spokesperson Kush Desai disputes this, stating that "Italian pasta is not disappearing." He notes that the antidumping duty is still just a proposal and that Italian companies have several months to continue participating in the review before it becomes final.
Some Italian pasta manufacturers are already preparing for the worst, with some planning to exit the US market as soon as January due to the threat of the new import duty. The affected companies include La Molisana, Pastificio Lucio Garofalo, and others.
The proposal has sparked concerns about the impact on American consumers, who may face higher prices or reduced availability of their favorite pasta brands. With no clear timeline for implementation, it remains to be seen how this new import duty will affect the US market.
This is gonna be a disaster for foodies in the States! I've got a friend who's super into that handmade fettuccine from La Molisana - it's like, $15 a pound now because of tariffs 
. And you know what? It's not just that one brand - this could affect all those little pasta shops and restaurants that rely on Italian imports. Not to mention the prices gonna go through the roof! I mean, have they thought about the domino effect? 
Some US pasta makers might start producing more, but it'll take months... meanwhile, we're stuck with a gazillion-dollar import duty 
. The White House says it's just a proposal, but let's be real, this is like, the final nail in the coffin for some of these small businesses 
.
. On the other hand, a 92% import duty could have some serious consequences for our food scene - empty shelves? No thanks 
.
. Until then, it's anyone's guess how our pasta options might change...
. And have you ever noticed how some of the best pasta sauces come from Italy but we can only get them in a jar? Like, what's up with that? My aunt makes her own sauce from scratch and it's so good, I wish she'd share the recipe 
. Anyway, back to this pasta thing... if they do impose that new duty, I'm pretty sure I'll just end up eating more spaghetti with marinara from the jar, it's just easier 
.
, I'm so done with these trade wars! Can't we just chill and enjoy our pasta in peace? I mean, who benefits from a 92% import duty anyway? Just to hurt the good people of America who love their spaghetti? Not cool 
. And what's the point of having all those tariffs if it just leads to empty shelves and higher prices for us? 
