WASHINGTON - The US International Trade Commission (USITC) Thursday cleared the way for the US government to levy antidumping duties against imports of certain stilbenic optical brightening agents from China.

The USITC made a final determination that "US industry is materially hurt by stilbenic optical brightening agents from China that the US Commerce Department has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value."

As a result of USITC's affirmative determinations, the Commerce Department will impose antidumping duties of 106.22 to 141.08 percent on imports of this product from China.

In 2010, imports of brightening agents from China were valued at an estimated $38.9 million, according to the Commerce Department. They are synthetic organic chemicals used to increase the brightness of paper and other materials.

This is America's latest trade protection move against China this year. With the US economy recovering at a slow pace, the protectionism moves by the world's largest economy are on the rise recently.

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.