WASHINGTON - The US Commerce Department Thursday announced its affirmative preliminary determination in the antidumping (AD) duty investigation of imports of steel wheels from China.

The department preliminarily determined that Chinese producers and exporters have sold steel wheels at margins ranging from 110. 58 to 193.54 percent ad valorem.

Imports of steel wheels from China were valued at an estimated $80.4 million. The department said it is scheduled to make its final determination in March 2012.

If the department makes an affirmative final determination, and the US International Trade Commission (ITC) makes an affirmative final determination that imports of steel wheels from China materially injure or threaten material injury to, the US industry, the department will issue an AD order. The ITC is scheduled to make its final injury determination on or about April 23, 2012.

With the US economy recovering at a slow pace, the protectionism moves by the world's largest economy are on the rise.