ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday the United States had sharply reduced proposed tariffs on several Italian pasta makers following a reassessment of their activities in the United States.

In October, the United States said 13 Italian pasta companies would face an additional 92% tariff – on top of the normal 15% rate on most EU imports – from January 2026, accusing two producers in particular, La Molisana and Garofalo, of selling pasta at unfairly low prices.

However, after a review, the United States Department of Commerce reduced the tariff for La Molisana to 2.26%, while that of Garofalo was set at 13.98%, according to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

The remaining 11 producers, who were not individually examined in the review, face a 9.09% tariff.

Fusilli pasta sits on the production line at the Barilla factory during the Barilla Innovation & Technology Experience (BITE) press day at the Barilla headquarters in Parma, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Fusilli pasta sits on the production line at the Barilla factory during the Barilla Innovation & Technology Experience (BITE) press day at the Barilla headquarters in Parma, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI/News via Getty Images)

STEFANO RELLANDINI via Getty Images

“The new calculation of duties is a sign that the US authorities recognize the constructive willingness of our companies to cooperate,” the Foreign Ministry said.

He added that the full findings of the US review will be published on March 11, adding that the ministry will continue to provide help to affected businesses in the coming weeks.

The threatened pasta tariffs had been an embarrassment for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who hoped her close ties to US President Donald Trump would protect Italian companies from any additional tariffs.

Italy’s total pasta exports were worth more than 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) in 2024, according to data from national statistics agency ISTAT. The American market was worth almost $800 million to Italian companies.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Ros Russell)