WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Commerce Department said Wednesday it has launched antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into imported melamine from China and Trinidad and Tobago.

Melamine is a crystalline powder or granule that is typically used in the production of melamine resins used in laminates, surface coatings, adhesives, molding compounds and paper treatment, the department said in a statement.

The investigations are in response to a petition filed by Cornerstone Chemical Company based in the U.S. state of Louisiana.

The company alleged that melamine from China, Trinidad and Tobago were sold below the fair value of the products in the U.S. market with dumping margins of 255.44 to 363.31 percent, 166.9 to 189.1 percent, respectively, while producers and exporters from these two countries also received government subsidies.

The International Trade Commission (ITC), the U.S. trade authority, is scheduled to make its preliminary inquiry determination around Dec. 29.

The probes will continue if the ITC determines that the imports of these products from China, Trinidad and Tobago materially injure or threaten the domestic industry of the United States. The U.S. Commerce Department will then make its preliminary determination of CVD in February, 2015 and AD in April, 2015, respectively.

Imports of these products from China were estimated at 14.1 million U.S. dollars last year, according to U.S. official data.

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.