The U.S. government is imposing new duties on imports of steel pipes from China, the latest sign of trade tensions between the two countries.

The U.S. International Trade Commission voted to impose duties between 10.36 percent and 15.78 percent on the pipes, which are mostly used in oil drilling.

The duties are intended to offset government subsidies that the U.S. government says China is providing its steelmakers.

The Commerce Department said last month that imports of the Chinese steel pipes rose by nearly 360 percent from 2006 to 2008.

The imports were worth $2.7 billion in 2008, the department said.

China and the U.S. are engaged in several trade disputes over market access for goods ranging from poultry and tires to Hollywood movies.