Italian farmers and food producers have condemned Washington’s decision to impose new 15 percent tariffs on European agri-food imports, warning that the measures could cost the sector more than €1bn in lost sales.
The duties, confirmed alongside a cut in customs tariffs for the automotive industry, leave no exemptions for Italian specialities such as wine, olive oil, and pasta. Farm groups argue the move creates an “unbalanced compromise” in which food exporters are sacrificed to protect the car sector.
The U.S. market is worth almost €8bn for Italian food exports. Wine faces the heaviest blow, with an estimated €290m in additional costs, followed by olive oil (€140m), and durum wheat pasta (€74m). Pork products are also expected to be severely affected.
U.S. TARIFFS FUELING FOOD INDUSTRY BACKLASH
Coldiretti and Filiera Italia, two of the country’s largest farming and food industry organizations, described the agreement as “in favour of the United States” and urged Brussels to secure tariff relief for wine in particular. “Every day without an exception means losing market share to rival producers,” they warned.
Confagricoltura called the deal “a step forward” for transatlantic ties but said it came at the expense of “strategic sectors such as wine and Pecorino Romano PDO”. President Massimiliano Giansanti pressed for a return to zero-tariff status for wine, which accounts for €2bn of sales in the U.S. — roughly a quarter of total Italian food exports.
Cia–Agricoltori Italiani was more critical, denouncing the outcome as “a surrender” and warning of shrinking market share, job losses, and unfair competition from U.S. imports produced under looser standards. The group is lobbying for emergency aid and compensation.
Legacoop Agroalimentare said it was “deeply dissatisfied” with the lack of relief for wine and Pecorino, despite tariffs on Grana Padano PDO, Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, and pasta being cut from 25 to 15 per cent. President Cristian Maretti noted that a weaker dollar and trade uncertainty have already dampened demand, with U.S. wine imports from Italy down 8.7 percent by volume and 8.5 percent by value this year.
EXPORTS UNDER PRESSURE
The measures threaten to accelerate a slowdown in sales after a strong start to 2025. Italian agri-food exports to the U.S. rose 11 percent in the first quarter but fell 2.9 percent in June. Producers now fear a structural decline that could ripple across the supply chain.