WASHINGTON -- A US trade panel decided on Thursday to extend antidumping and countervailing duties on Chinese exports of steel pipes after a five-year review of the measure imposed initially in 2008.

The bipartisan International Trade Commission (USITC) voted unanimously against revoking the duty orders, saying it "would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time."

The US Commerce Department is required to remove an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the department and the USITC vote against it.

In July, 2008, the US issued an antidumping and countervailing duty order on imports of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from China.

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.