ROME, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Italian agricultural products will be hit harder than those from any other European countries if threatened U.S. tariffs go into effect next month, a study released Wednesday reported.

The Confederation of Italian Farmers, best known as CIA-Agricoltori Italiani, said Wednesday that Italian agriculture sector exports to the United States were higher than those from other European countries.

CIA-Agricoltori Italiani said that Italy exported 7.8 billion euros (8.5 billion U.S. dollars) last year, accounting for around 12 percent of Italy's total agricultural sector exports. That is more than the 6.7 percent of France's U.S. agricultural exports, or the 4.7 percent from Spain and the 2.5 percent from Germany.

Cristiano Fini, CIA-Agricoltori Italiani's national president, called for diplomatic efforts aimed at avoiding the implementation of the threatened U.S. tariffs, which could enter into force on April 2.

"Strong diplomatic action is needed to find a solution," Fini said in a statement. "Italy can and must be a leader in Europe in the opening of a negotiation with (U.S. President Donald) Trump since we have the most to lose."

The CIA-Agricoltori Italiani said the Italian regions of Tuscany and Sardinia would feel the biggest impact of the levies, with high-end wine, pecorino cheese, and olive oil among the exports that could suffer the most. Enditem

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