WASHINGTON - The US International Trade Commission (USITC) on Tuesday okayed the anti-dumping and countervailing duties investigations against imports of certain passenger vehicle and light truck tires from China.

USITC's all six commissioners voted in the affirmative, saying, "there is a reasonable indication that a US industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain passenger vehicle and light truck tires from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value."

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the US Commerce Department will continue the probes and is expected to make preliminary countervailing and antidumping duty determinations in August and November separately.

The US Commerce Department launched the anti-dumping and countervailing duties probes on July 15 at the request of two U.S labor organizations United Steelworkers and AFL-CIO-CLC.

They alleged that these products from China were sold below the fair value of the products in the US market with dumping margin of 45.80 to 87.99 percent, and Chinese producers and exporters also received improper government subsidies.

Imports of these products from China were estimated at about $2. 1 billion last year, according to official US data.

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.

China opposes US tire probe	US launches anti-dumping probe against Chinese tires