WASHINGTON -- The US Commerce Department on Tuesday set final dumping margins on imported photovoltaic products from China, paving the way for the US government to impose punitive duties on the products in the months ahead.

The department made its affirmative final determination that crystalline silicon photovoltaic products from Chinese mainland and Taiwan had been sold in the United States at dumping margins ranging from 26.71 percent to 165.04 percent, and 11.45 percent to 27.55 percent, respectively.

The department also determined that producers and exporters of photovoltaic products from Chinese mainland received countervailable subsidies ranging from 27.64 percent to 49.79 percent.

Punitive duties would be imposed after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) made an affirmative final rule, which is scheduled on Jan 29, 2015. If the ITC makes a negative determination, the investigations will be terminated.

The investigations are in response to a petition filed by SolarWorld Industries America Inc. based in Oregon, which alleged that crystalline silicon photovoltaic products from China were sold below the fair value of the products in the US market, while Chinese producers and exporters also received improper government subsidies.

It was the second US investigation against Chinese photovoltaic products after a similar one in 2011, which seriously affected the Chinese photovoltaic industry and hindered the development of US photovoltaic application market.

China's Ministry of Commerce has reiterated its calls for the United States to objectively and fairly handle ongoing solar trade disputes, honor its commitment against protectionism and work with China to maintain a free, open and just trade environment.