WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. government decided Friday to maintain an existing anti-dumping duty on steel wire garment hangers imported from China, despite Beijing's repeated calls for Washington to drop trade protectionism.

Six members of U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) concluded unanimously in a ruling that revoking the current anti-dumping duty orders on Chinese hangers would likely lead to "material injury" to U.S. industries in a foreseeable future.

The verdict meant the duty margin on Chinese hungers will continue run from 15.83 percent to 187.25 percent.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged Washington to honor its commitment against trade protectionism and maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.

It has been the first U.S. "sunset review" since August 2008, when the duty was introduced.

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the U.S. Department of Commerce to conduct "sunset review" by revoking anti-dumping duty orders five years after the duties were introduced in the country, unless the department and the ITC determine the action would make material injuries to U.S. industries in the future.