MNI: US Duties To Impact Italy By E40 Billion: Confindustria:

By Silvia Marchetti

     ROME (MNI) - Potential U.S. duties could negatively impact on Italian

exports by E40 billion a year, Confindustria, Italy's leading trade lobby,

warned Wednesday.

     In a flash bulletin, the association said that even if the outlook now

remains "subdued", the risk that the US may extend duties to the European Union,

and therefore to Italy, is of great concern to Italian businesses and could

"mar" growth in the country.

     "Italy's recovery is consolidating and consumer and business confidence are

at its highest for years, close to pre-crisis levels," said the lobby.

     But even if Italy's industry is now "little exposed to the new U.S. trade

policies, it faces a potential impact of E40 billion on its exports,

particularly in the automotive sector" if the duties are applied.

     Italy, alongside Germany, would be the hardest hit by the new US

protectionist policy. The U.S. is Italy's third-largest export destination

country, said Confindustria.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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