WASHINGTON - The US government determined on Thursday it would maintain the existing antidumping duty on silicomanganese from China and Ukraine, despite Beijing's repeated calls for Washington to drop protectionism.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) said in a ruling that revoking the current antidumping duty orders on silicomanganese from China and Ukraine would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. But the trade panel terminated the existing antidumping duty order on imports from Brazil.

With regard to imports of this product from China, it has been the fourth five-year review since June 10, 1991 when the duty was first introduced. As a result of ITC's affirmative determination, the existing orders will remain in force. The duty margin runs at 139.49 percent. Silicomanganese, a ferroalloy with high contents of manganese and silicon, is typically used in the manufacture of stainless steel.

The US move came under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. It requires the US Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping 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 be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies and of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

Trade tensions due to US protectionism against China have been simmering throughout the entire election year as both presidential candidates use China as a punching bag.

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.