US may slap punitive duties on steel cylinders from China

The U.S. Commerce Department said Tuesday that imports of high-pressure steel cylinders from China would face anti-dumping duties of up to 31.21 percent and countervailing duties of 15.81 percent.

The department will issue orders to levy the duties after an affirmative ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), which is expected to make a final decision over the issue before June 11.

The U.S. Commerce Department claimed these products were sold at less than fair value in the U.S. market.

According to its investigation, Chinese producers and exporters had sold high-pressure steel cylinders in the United States at dumping margins ranging from 6.62 to 31.21 percent, and that they also received countervailing subsidies of 15.81 percent.

Last year, U.S. manufacturer Norris Cylinder Company, the last remaining producer of high-pressure steel cylinders in the nation, asked for anti-dumping duties of up to 176.25 percent and additional countervailing duties on these products from China.

In 2011, U.S. imports of steel cylinders from China were valued at an estimated 81.7 million U.S. dollars.

This is the latest U.S. trade protection move against China this year. As the U.S. economy is undergoing a slow recovery, protectionism practices by the world's largest economy are on the rise.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and help maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.