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In a move that signals a partial thaw in transatlantic trade frictions, the United States has sharply reduced proposed punitive tariffs on several Italian pasta producers after a detailed reassessment of their commercial activities in the American market. The decision places Washington firmly at the center of yet another recalibration of its trade enforcement strategy, with ripple effects across Europe’s agri-food sector.

Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Commerce had revised its earlier determination, dramatically lowering duties that were initially set to take effect in January 2026. Last October, U.S. authorities had announced that 13 Italian pasta manufacturers would be subjected to an additional 92% tariff—on top of the standard 15% duty applied to most European Union imports—following allegations of unfairly low-priced exports into the U.S. market.

Two companies in particular had drawn Washington’s scrutiny: La Molisana and Garofalo. However, after a formal review, U.S. officials slashed La Molisana’s proposed tariff to just 2.26%, while Garofalo’s rate was reduced to 13.98%. The remaining 11 producers, which were not individually examined during the review process, will face a uniform duty of 9.09%.

According to Rome, the revised figures reflect Washington’s acknowledgment of the Italian firms’ cooperation with U.S. investigators. Italian officials framed the decision as evidence that American trade authorities are willing to adjust enforcement measures when companies engage transparently with regulatory processes.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to publish the full findings of its review on March 11. Italy’s foreign ministry said it would continue to assist the affected companies as the process moves toward its conclusion.

Politically, the episode carried broader implications. The initially threatened tariffs had proven awkward for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has publicly emphasized her close working relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. That relationship had fueled expectations in Rome that Italian exporters might be spared the brunt of Washington’s increasingly assertive trade posture.

Economically, the stakes are significant. Italy’s pasta exports exceeded €4 billion in 2024, according to national statistics, underscoring the sector’s global reach. The United States alone accounted for nearly $800 million in sales, making it one of the most valuable foreign markets for Italian producers.

While the revised tariffs stop short of eliminating duties altogether, the U.S. decision marks a notable softening from its earlier stance. It also reinforces a broader message from Washington: trade enforcement remains rigorous, but not immutable—particularly when diplomatic engagement and corporate cooperation align with American regulatory expectations.