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US Reconsiders Tariffs on Italian Pasta, Reduces Duties for 13 Producers

The U.S. government has decided to ease proposed tariffs that could have significantly impacted Italy’s pasta industry. This decision involves reducing duties on several prominent producers, a move welcomed by many in the industry.

Following an investigation into claims that Italian pasta was being sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices, officials found that exporters had addressed many of the concerns raised. As a result, the proposed tariffs on 13 companies are being rolled back, according to a U.S. Department of Commerce official speaking to Reuters.

“[Our] post-preliminary analysis indicates that Italian pasta makers have addressed many of Commerce’s concerns raised in the preliminary determination,” the official stated. “Commerce will continue to engage with interested parties to take into account all information before issuing the final determination.”

WHITE HOUSE DISPUTES REPORTS THAT ITALIAN PASTA COULD VANISH FROM STORE SHELVES NATIONWIDE

US-ITALY-TRADE-FOOD-TARIFFS

Packages of pasta imported from Italy in a Houston supermarket. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

For instance, the proposed tariff for pasta maker La Molisana has been reduced to 2.26%, while Garofalo’s tariff is now set at 13.98%, as reported by Reuters. The remaining 11 pasta makers, including Agritalia, Aldino, and Barilla, will face a 9.09% tariff, according to the New York Post.

YEAR IN REVIEW: HOW PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ECONOMIC AGENDA IS SHAPING UP SO FAR

Packs of Barilla pasta are seen in a supermarket in Rome

Packs of Barilla pasta in a supermarket in Rome Sept. 27, 2013. (Tony Gentile/Reuters / Reuters)

Initially, the U.S. had proposed duties as high as 92% on Italian pasta makers, in addition to a 15% tariff that applies to most European Union imports, as reported by Reuters. Many companies expressed concern that such steep increases could effectively exclude them from the U.S. market, which is valued at nearly $800 million for Italian pasta exporters, according to both Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.

CONSUMERS ARE PAYING THE COSTS FOR TRUMP’S TARIFFS: NEW YORK FED

Hard times for Italy pasta makers as durum wheat supplies go soft

A worker at the Italian pasta maker De Cecco’s factory prepares pasta in Fara San Martino, Italy, Nov. 29, 2021. (Reuters/Remo Casilli/File Photo / Reuters)

Italy’s foreign ministry has indicated that the revised calculations reflect U.S. officials’ acknowledgment of the companies’ “constructive willingness to cooperate.” The final tariff rates are anticipated to be announced on March 12, although this could be extended by up to 60 days, according to Reuters.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has not yet responded to FOX Business’ request for comment.

The U.S. government has decided to ease proposed tariffs that could have significantly impacted Italy’s pasta industry. This decision involves reducing duties on several prominent producers, a move welcomed by many in the industry.

Following an investigation into claims that Italian pasta was being sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices, officials found that exporters had addressed many of the concerns raised. As a result, the proposed tariffs on 13 companies are being rolled back, according to a U.S. Department of Commerce official speaking to Reuters.

“[Our] post-preliminary analysis indicates that Italian pasta makers have addressed many of Commerce’s concerns raised in the preliminary determination,” the official stated. “Commerce will continue to engage with interested parties to take into account all information before issuing the final determination.”

WHITE HOUSE DISPUTES REPORTS THAT ITALIAN PASTA COULD VANISH FROM STORE SHELVES NATIONWIDE

US-ITALY-TRADE-FOOD-TARIFFS

Packages of pasta imported from Italy in a Houston supermarket. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

For instance, the proposed tariff for pasta maker La Molisana has been reduced to 2.26%, while Garofalo’s tariff is now set at 13.98%, as reported by Reuters. The remaining 11 pasta makers, including Agritalia, Aldino, and Barilla, will face a 9.09% tariff, according to the New York Post.

YEAR IN REVIEW: HOW PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ECONOMIC AGENDA IS SHAPING UP SO FAR

Packs of Barilla pasta are seen in a supermarket in Rome

Packs of Barilla pasta in a supermarket in Rome Sept. 27, 2013. (Tony Gentile/Reuters / Reuters)

Initially, the U.S. had proposed duties as high as 92% on Italian pasta makers, in addition to a 15% tariff that applies to most European Union imports, as reported by Reuters. Many companies expressed concern that such steep increases could effectively exclude them from the U.S. market, which is valued at nearly $800 million for Italian pasta exporters, according to both Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.

CONSUMERS ARE PAYING THE COSTS FOR TRUMP’S TARIFFS: NEW YORK FED

Hard times for Italy pasta makers as durum wheat supplies go soft

A worker at the Italian pasta maker De Cecco’s factory prepares pasta in Fara San Martino, Italy, Nov. 29, 2021. (Reuters/Remo Casilli/File Photo / Reuters)

Italy’s foreign ministry has indicated that the revised calculations reflect U.S. officials’ acknowledgment of the companies’ “constructive willingness to cooperate.” The final tariff rates are anticipated to be announced on March 12, although this could be extended by up to 60 days, according to Reuters.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has not yet responded to FOX Business’ request for comment.