The recent decision by the United States to hike import tariffs on Italian mineral water representS a ''serious blow'' to the Italian economy, European Affairs Minister Andrea Ronchi said here on Wednesday.
''It is my hope that the new administration of President Barack Obama will revoke this measure,'' adopted by the previous administration five days before ex-president George W. Bush left office, Ronchi added.
Italian mineral water was added to a revised list of European Union products on which the US had imposed additional import duties in retaliation for an EU ban on AmericaN beef raised using hormones, which is outlawed in Europe.
The new tariffs are set to go into effect March 23 and hiked import duties by 100% for Italian mineral water as well as European hams, sausages, truffles, chocolate and pears made in 25 EU counties.
The only country which was not penalised was Britain which permits US beef imports.
The hardest-hit product was French Roquefort cheese which will see its duties tripled.
According to Ronchi, the US tariffs represent a ''new protectionism'' which the Italian government needs to combat.
''We cannot allow these measures to have repercussions on employment,'' he said.
The US absorbs 40% of Italian mineral water exports and the sector employs over 50,000 people in Italy.
Ronchi addressed the tariff issue during talks with Czech officials.
The Czech Republic holds the EU rotating presidency for the first half of the year.
