WASHINGTON - The US Commerce Department on Tuesday launched anti-dumping duty and countervail duty investigations against imports of tool chests and cabinets from China and Vietnam.

The investigations are in response to a request from Waterloo Industries, a US manufacturer of tool boxes, according to the Commerce Department's fact sheet.

The company alleged that tool chests and cabinets from China and Vietnam were sold to the US market at prices below the fair value with dumping margins of 159.99 percent and 21.85 percent, respectively.

The company also claimed that Chinese exporters and producers of such products received improper government subsidies.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC), another US trade authority, is scheduled to make its preliminary inquiry determinations around May 26.

The probe will continue if the ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports of such products from China or Vietnam materially injure or threaten the domestic industry of the United States.

Last year, imports of these products from China and Vietnam were estimated at about $989.9 million and $77 million, respectively, according to the Commerce Department.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has kept urging Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and help maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.