WASHINGTON - The US Commerce Department announced on Monday its affirmative final determination in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of steel wheels from China.

The department determined that Chinese producers and exporters had sold steel wheels in the United States at dumping margins ranging from 44.96 to 193.54 percent, and that they also received countervailable subsidies between 25.66 and 38.32 percent.

In 2011, imports of steel wheels from China were valued at an estimated 84.2 million US dollars.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) was scheduled to issue its final injury determinations on or before April 30, 2012. If the ITC determined that imports of steel wheels from China materially injure or threaten material injury to the US industry, the Commerce would issue AD and CVD orders. If the ITC made a negative injury determination, these investigations would be terminated.

As of February 21, 2012, the US Commerce maintains 114 AD and CVD orders on imports of Chinese products. On Tuesday, the Commerce will announce its preliminary determination in the CVD investigation of imports of solar cells from China.

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 in the aftermath of the 2008 financial meltdown and subsequent global economic recession that have hurt the US economy badly and sparked a new wave of protectionism.

Observers see trade protectionism as a short-sighted approach, while some US officials believe a deeper trade integration into other regions could help the United States create more jobs and improve its competitiveness.

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.