WASHINGTON - The US government determined on Tuesday that it would maintain the existing anti-dumping duty on folding gift boxes from China, despite Beijing's repeated calls for Washington to end protectionism.

The US International Trade Commission concluded unanimously in a ruling that revoking the current antidumping duty orders on folding gift boxes from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The US move came under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. It requires the US Department of Commerce to revoke an anti-dumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the department and the ITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies and of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

It has been the second five-year (sunset) review for Chinese folding gift boxes since January, 2002 when the duty was first introduced. As a result of today's affirmative determination, the existing duty order will remain in force, with its margin ranging from 1.67 percent to 8.90 percent.

Trade tensions due to US protectionism against China have been persistent, as many US producers keep losing competitiveness in the process of globalization.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged the United States to abide by its commitment against protectionism and work together with China and other members of the international community to maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.