WASHINGTON -- The US Commerce Department on Friday set final dumping margins on imported passenger vehicle and light truck tires from China, signaling that it may impose punitive duties on those products.

The department made its affirmative final determination that these Chinese tires had been sold in the United States at dumping margins ranging from 14.35 percent to 87.99 percent.

The department also determined that producers and exporters of these Chinese products received countervailable subsidies ranging from 20.73 percent to 100.77 percent.

Punitive duties would be imposed after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) made an affirmative final rule, which is scheduled for July 27. If the ITC makes a negative determination, the investigations will be terminated.

The Commerce Department launched the anti-dumping and anti- subsidy investigation into Chinese tires last July, at the request of two US labor organizations United Steelworkers and AFL-CIO-CLC.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce had voiced strong opposition to such decision, saying that the probe breached the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and US laws.

Imports of these Chinese tires under investigation were estimated at about $2.3 billion last year, according to US official data.

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