Mexico to challenge preliminary Chinese duties on pecans

Mexico is urging China to withdraw preliminary countervailing duties imposed on its pecan exports. The Ministry of Economy announced that China's Ministry of Commerce has set preliminary duties between 17.8% and 51.6% for Mexican pecan exporters, following an anti-dumping investigation initiated in September 2025. US exporters face a 54.3% duty.

The Mexican government expressed concern over the decision but stated it respects the anti-dumping investigation process conducted by Chinese authorities. The ministry reiterated its support for national producers and exporters. China launched the investigation on September 25, 2025, to determine if fresh pecans from Mexico were being sold at prices below their local value, harming China's domestic industry.

Direct Mexican exports to China totaled $21.9 million in 2024. However, the Economy Ministry warned that the value of potentially affected trade could be higher, as a significant volume of Mexican pecans is first exported to the United States and then re-exported to the Chinese market. The ministry has been working with the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Mexican Embassy in China since the investigation began to support the sector's commercial defense.

Mexican companies have 10 days to respond to China's preliminary determination. The Economy and Agriculture ministries will collaborate during this period to defend the involved Mexican companies. Mexico aims to ensure the final resolution from China does not impose countervailing duties on its producers.