A U.S. trade panel approved two new investigations into charges of unfair trade practices by China, but rejected another one week ahead of President Barack Obama's trip to Asia.

The U.S. International Trade Commission voted 6-0 to back the Commerce Department's investigation into allegations Chinese and Indonesian companies are selling coated paper used for magazines and greeting cards at unfairly low prices.

It also approved an investigation of charges Chinese producers are "dumping" three types of salts in the United States, but excluded a fourth category from the probe.