WASHINGTON -- The US government decided Wednesday to maintain the existing anti-dumping duty on pure magnesium from China, although Beijing has repeatedly called on Washington to drop protectionism.

The US International Trade Commission said in a ruling, backed by all the four participating commissioners, that revoking the current anti-dumping duty order on imports of Chinese pure magnesium would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

This is the second five-year review since 2001, when the duty was first introduced. As a result of the ITC's affirmative determination, the existing order on imports of this product from China will remain in force. The duty margin runs at 24.67 percent to 305.56 percent.

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.

Trade tensions with China are a particularly sensitive issue as the United States is trying to boost its exports to revitalize a flagging economy and slash the unemployment rate.

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.