WASHINGTON - The United States determined Tuesday it would maintain the existing anti-dumping duty on imports of sodium hexametaphosphate from China, despite Beijing's repeated calls for Washington to drop trade protectionism.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) concluded that revoking the current anti-dumping duty order on the products from China would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

It has been the first "sunset review" since February, 2008, when the duty was introduced. The duty margin on the products from China runs from 92.02 percent to 188.05 percent.

A "sunset review" was conducted every five years after anti-dumping duties were introduced. The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the US Department of Commerce to revoke an anti-dumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the department and the ITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies and of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged the United States to abide by its commitment against trade protectionism and work together with China and other members of the international community to maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.