Italian Pasta Imports Under Threat: US Tariffs Could Disrupt Global Market
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The US is set to impose punitive tariffs on 13 major Italian pasta brands, potentially removing them from grocery shelves. The move comes after an investigation into alleged "dumping" by Italian exporters, who are accused of selling goods below market value to undercut local manufacturers. This could lead to higher prices and limited options for traditional Italian pasta in the US. Industry experts warn that the effects may extend beyond the pasta section, sparking a new era of trade tensions between the US and one of its key European allies. The Commerce Department claims Italian exporters have been breaking antidumping regulations by selling their goods at extremely low prices. Rummo USA, an impacted business, has spoken out against the new policy, stating that it will not pass on costs to clients. The company's chief commercial officer, Jim Donnelly, claims that Rummo sells its goods in the US for more than the Italian price and would have to raise prices from $3.99 to $7.99 if it passed on the entire cost of the tariffs. The affected brands include Agritalia, Aldino, and Barilla, among others. Barilla is less likely to be affected, as it produces pasta domestically for the US market. The companies are urging the Commerce Department to modify its assessment and lower the tax before the antidumping duty takes effect in January. The Italian pasta export market is worth £3.5 billion, with Italian pasta accounting for 12% of the US market. A 12% market loss would significantly reduce consumer choice. Italian Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida has called the action "hyper-protectionist."
