WASHINGTON - The US International Trade Commission (USITC) Wednesday cleared the way for the US government to levy antidumping and countervailing duties against imports of high-pressure steel cylinders from China.

The USITC made a final determination that US industry is materially injured by imports of China's high-pressure steel cylinders. Earlier this month, the US Commerce Department had determined those products were subsidized and sold in the US market at less than fair value.

As a result of USITC's affirmative determinations, the Commerce Department will impose antidumping duties of 6.62 to 31.21 percent and countervailing duties of 15.81 percent on imports of this product from China.

Last year, US manufacturer Norris Cylinder Company, the last remaining producer of high-pressure steel cylinders in the nation, asked for anti-dumping duties of up to 176.25 percent and additional countervailing duties on these products from China.

In 2011, US imports of steel cylinders from China were valued at an estimated $81.7 million.

This is the latest US trade protection move against China this year. As the US economy is undergoing a slow recovery, protectionism practices by the world's largest economy are on the rise.

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