How do you politicize pasta though?
Prospective 107 percent tariff might mollywop some SMBs
WASHINGTON (Nov. 15, 2025) — The U.S. Commerce Department is threatening to slap a 107 percent tariff on pasta imported from Italy — a move so steep, it could shake out not just pasta brands, but grocery importers, specialty shops, and restaurants that depend on the real deal.
Why the U.S. Is Cranking Up Duties
The tariff proposal comes after a Commerce Department probe into 13 Italian pasta producers, including La Molisana and Garofalo, accused of “dumping” — selling in the U.S. at prices allegedly below their domestic market. Officials call it a way to protect local pasta makers. The preliminary duty is 91.74 percent, which would stack on top of an existing 15 percent EU import tariff, creating the 107 percent potential.
Italy and the EU are pushing back hard. Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has publicly challenged Washington’s calculation, calling the duty “unacceptable.” Meanwhile, Italian producers warn the tariff could be a deal breaker for many.
What It Means for U.S. Importers & Specialty Shops
At shops like Claudio Specialty Food in Philadelphia, where Italian pasta has been a mainstay for decades, the threat of this tax isn’t just academic — it’s very real. “Pasta is basic food,” veteran importer Sal Auriemma told Fortune. “Something’s got to be sacred.”
If the duty sticks, some imported Italian brands may vanish from shelves. For smaller retailers or importers who built their business around authentic products, that could mean either swallowing higher costs or walking away.
The Risk to Italian Producers Is Real
Thirteen brands are in the crosshairs, and some argue the damage could be “fatal.” Exporters say the punitive tariff could effectively cut them off from the U.S. market, which makes up about 12 percent of Italy’s pasta exports.
Cosimo Rummo, head of Pasta Rummo, warned in interviews that prices at U.S. retailers might more than double — from around $3.99 to as high as $7.99 — before consumers even see the product.
Why This Really Hits SMBs
Specialty grocers and Italian markets could get squeezed. For local SMBs that import and sell premium Italian pasta, the duty could force them to rethink inventory, pricing, or even whether to carry certain brands.
Independent restaurants that use authentic Italian pasta in their dishes might face margins getting crushed or decide to switch to U.S.-produced pasta — changing not just flavor, but their identity.
Supply chain headaches: Importers will need to plan for paused orders, renegotiate costs, or possibly ration inventory, all while navigating uncertainty.
Bigger Picture: Trade, Identity & Business Strategy
At its core, this fight is about more than just pasta. It’s about trade policy, national identity, and what “local” means in global commerce. For small businesses and chefs selling Made in Italy authenticity, this is a moment forced to choose between sourcing legacy ingredients — or going local and abandoning part of their brand identity.
Bottom line
A 107 percent pasta tariff isn’t just a trade story — it’s a potential gut punch for small businesses in the U.S. that built their reputation on imported quality. If this lands, grocery shelves could shift, menus could change, and independent food shops could be forced into a hard pivot.
That might sound like hyperbole. But when you’re talking about pasta — one of the world’s most universal comfort foods — the stakes are… al dente.