State of the World from NPR Could Italian Pasta Disappear in the U.S.?
Dec 4, 2025
Ruth Sherlock, an NPR reporter based in Rome, dives into the looming crisis surrounding Italian pasta in the U.S. due to possible tariffs. She unpacks how the Trump administration's policies could double prices or wipe pasta off shelves entirely. From the intriguing history of Italian pasta exports to the controversies of dumping allegations, Sherlock highlights the economic and political drama at play. With negotiations underway, the future remains uncertain for Italian producers and American pasta lovers alike.
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Premium Branding Explains Higher Prices
- Italian pasta is marketed as a premium, heritage product and typically sells at higher prices in export markets.
- Chiara Donegani says this pricing signals quality rather than dumping into the U.S. market.
Huge Tariffs Result From Combined Penalties
- The Commerce Department combined general EU tariffs with a near-92% penalty to reach about a 107% tariff on some Italian pasta.
- NPR's analysis and Italian experts say trade data shows no evidence of dumping behavior.
Penalties Followed From Incomplete Responses
- The Commerce Department applied punitive measures after two firms gave incomplete responses to its review.
- Officials reportedly penalized many other companies by extrapolating from those incomplete replies.