China on Monday decided to impose anti-dumping tariffs of up to 54.3 percent on imports of pecans (carya illinoensis) from Mexico and the US in the form of security deposits after it ruled preliminarily that imports of pecans from the two countries were dumped in the Chinese market, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced.
The investigating authority found a causal link between the alleged dumping of imports of pecans from Mexico and the US and the injury suffered by the Chinese industry. The ministry said that it would impose provisional anti-dumping measures in the form of security deposits beginning on August 11, 2026, according to an announcement on the ministry’s website on Monday.
The dumping margins for Mexican companies were determined to be 17.8 percent to 51.6 percent. Since no US company responded to the investigation, and in accordance with Chinese law and WTO rules, the dumping margin for all US companies was determined on the basis of the best information available at 54.3 percent, according to a MOFCOM spokesperson.
Chinese experts said China’s decision to launch an investigation was reasonable and compliant with procedures and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, reflecting its right to protect domestic industry from unfair trade practices.
China launched the anti-dumping investigation into pecan imports from Mexico and the US on September 25, 2025, under its Anti-Dumping Regulations, according to the ministry.
The ministry has conducted the investigation in accordance with the principles of fairness, impartiality, openness, and transparency, and in strict compliance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations as well as WTO rules, the MOFCOM spokesperson said while giving a briefing on the preliminary ruling.
Zhou Mi, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Monday that anti-dumping measures are a trade remedy tool provided by the WTO to its members. From China’s perspective, taking relevant measures is in line with international trade rules.
China has always exercised caution and restraint in using trade remedy measures, and remains firmly committed to safeguarding fair and free trade. China will continue to conduct the investigation in accordance with the law, fully protect the rights of all interested parties, and make an objective and impartial final ruling based on the findings of the investigation, the spokesperson said.
The ministry said that interested parties may submit written comments within 10 days of the announcement.
Pecans, also known as American walnuts or thin-shelled walnuts, are used both as snacks and in baking, and can also be processed into edible oil.
The US has been a major supplier of pecans to China. According to a November 2025 report by the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, US pecan exports to China reached 11,017 metric tons in 2024.
Industry data cited by Chinese media outlet guojiguoshu.news indicated that China remains the largest export market for US pecans, with in-shell exports rising 66 percent to 6 million pounds in the 2025/26 season.