The Great Pasta War: how America turned spaghetti into a trade weapon
With Chiara Donegani, this piece argues that the US decision to impose 91% tariffs on Italian pasta is unjustified and functions as political theatre rather than sound trade policy. The underlying data analysis shows Italy actually sells pasta to the US at a 25-30% premium over European prices, directly contradicting the dumping allegations used to justify the tariff. With stable market shares and consistent pricing, Italian producers are competing on quality and heritage, not predatory pricing — meaning the tariff mainly serves as a symbolic show of toughness rather than a response to real market distortion.
Originally published on LSE USAPP (United States Politics and Policy blog), co-authored with Chiara Paola Donegani, November 11, 2025.