The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) on Thursday voted to continue anti-dumping investigations against imports of xanthan gum from China and Austria.

All of the five participating commissioners voted in the affirmative, saying there was a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry was materially injured by reason of imports of the products that were allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

As a result, the U.S. Department of Commerce can continue to conduct its investigations, with its preliminary determination due on November 12, 2012. The Commerce alleged on June 26 that xanthan gum from China and Austria were sold in the U.S. market with dumping margins of 154.07 percent and 145.20 percent, respectively.

Xanthan gum is used as a thickener and stabilizer in three major sectors, i.e. food and beverage products, consumer goods and pharmaceutical products, and oilfield and industrial use. In 2011, imports of the product from China were at an estimated 64 million U.S. dollars, according to the Commerce Department.

On June 5, 2012, Atlanta-based manufacturer CP Kelco, one of the remaining two producers of xanthan gum in the United States, filed a petition with USITC. It also asked the Commerce to levy anti-dumping duties of up to 176.25 percent and additional countervailing duties on these products from China. As the U.S. economy is undergoing a sluggish recovery and suffering partly from the backfire of globalization, protectionism practices by the world's largest economy are on the rise. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and help maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.