Washington -- The United States said on Tuesday that it would continue to levy antidumping duties against foundry coke imports from China.

Revoking the current antidumping duty order on imports of Chinese foundry coke would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time, said a ruling by the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

As a result of the ITC's affirmative determination, the existing antidumping duties of 48.55 percent to 214.89 percent on imports of this product from China will remain in force.

The US action came under a five-year review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. According to the Act, the US Department of Commerce has to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement after five years unless the department and the ITC determine that such a move would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies and of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

This is the second five-year review instituted by the US Commerce Department, which started to impose antidumping duties against Chinese foundry coke in 2000.

With the US economy recovering at a painfully slow pace, moves of trade protection taken by the government have apparently been on the rise over recent years, and China has become one of the major victims.

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.