Made in Italy scores a point in its favor: the United States has significantly revised the proposed anti-dumping duties on Italian pasta downwards, ahead of the definitive conclusions of the investigation formally expected on March 11th. The Farnesina’s announcement comes at a time in which Washington has also announced the postponement of new tariff increases on other manufacturing sectors such as furniture. The so-called post-preliminary analysis on Italian pasta re-determines the rates provisionally set on 4 September last to a significantly lower extent: from 91.74%, the duties go to 2.26% for La Molisana, to 13.98% for Garofalo and to 9.09% for the other eleven producers not sampled, including Barilla. The new rates were communicated before the formal closure of the investigation, scheduled for March 11th. According to the Farnesina, «the redetermination of duties is a sign of recognition of the active willingness of our companies to collaborate by the US authorities». The turning point is also proof “of the effectiveness of the support ensured by the Farnesina and the Government from the beginning”. According to what was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the review was also supported by Italian diplomatic initiatives and the support of the European Commission, which filed defense briefs in support of the companies involved in the investigation. The anti-dumping procedure remains formally open and the US administration will now have to publish the final conclusions. Previously, Washington had announced its intention to apply, starting from January 2026, additional duties of up to 91.74% on some Italian producers, in addition to the ordinary rate of 15% valid on most EU imports. However, the effectiveness of the new rates remains suspended until the formal conclusion of the investigation, expected on March 11th.
Satisfaction was expressed by the Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida: «The good news coming from the United States demonstrates how serious work, without unnecessary alarmism, bears fruit», he stated. «We followed the matter immediately, in October in Chicago together with Ambassador Marco Peronaci we gave an important signal: Italian institutions would not abandon Italian pasta producers». «Today we know that we have chosen the right path and the tariffs have been significantly reduced». «Once again we have shown that teamwork pays off and Italy is strong and respected in the world». Satisfaction was expressed by Coldiretti and Filiera Italia “for the action of the Italian government and in particular of ministers Tajani and Lollobrigida and of our diplomatic structure, which led to a first temporary reduction in US duties on Italian pasta”. According to the two associations, in 2024 the export of Italian pasta to the USA reached a value of approximately 671 million euros, confirming the American market as one of the most strategic for the sector.
On the broader front of American trade policy, the White House has meanwhile announced that President Donald Trump has signed a measure that postpones the increase in duties on upholstered furniture, kitchen furniture and bathroom furnishings for one year to 2027. The increases that were supposed to come into force today included rates of up to 30% on upholstered furniture and 50% on kitchen and bathroom furnishings. The duties were introduced in October, with an initial rate of 25%, as part of a broader strategy to protect US industrial capacity in wood and furniture. The postponement was motivated by the need to “leave room for ongoing productive negotiations” with trading partners.