The US Commerce Department announced Friday that it launched anti-dumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations against imports of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from China.

Carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod is primarily used for subsequent drawing and finishing into wire products.

The investigations are in response to a request from ArcelorMittal USA based in the state of Illinois and five other US companies. The American companies alleged that these products from China were sold below the fair value of the products in the US market with dumping margins from 99.32 percent to 110.25 percent, and Chinese producers and exporters also received improper government subsidies.

The International Trade Commission (ITC), the US trade authority, was scheduled to make its preliminary inquiry determination around March 17.

The probe will continue if the ITC determines that the imports of such products from China materially injure or threaten the domestic industry. The Commerce Department will then make its preliminary determinations of CVD and AD in April and July, respectively.

Imports of these products from China were estimated at $313.019 million last year, according to US official data.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has kept urging Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and help maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.