WASHINGTON - The US Commerce Department announced Friday that it was launching countervailing duty investigations on frozen warmwater shrimp from China and other six countries.

The investigations are in response to the petition filed by the US Coalition of Gulf Shrimp Industries, who alleged producers and exporters of China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have received financial assistance from governments.

In 2011, the United States imported frozen warmwater shrimp from China at an estimated $153.7 million, 8.4 percent less than 2010, according to the US government's data.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determination on or before February 11, 2013. If the ITC determines that imports from China and the other six countries are materially injuring, or threatening material injury, to the domestic industry, the Commerce will continue the investigation and is expected to make its countervailing preliminary determinations in March 2013.

The US government has already slapped antidumping duty orders on frozen warmwater shrimp from Brazil, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry 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.