Beijing, China - China announced steep levies on pecans imported from the US and Mexico on Monday after it found the products were being dumped on the Chinese market.

Beginning Tuesday, pecans from Mexican producers will face levies between 17.8% and 51.6%, while those from US companies face a blanket 54.3% rate, the Chinese commerce ministry said.

The rates were issued after the ministry reached a "preliminary ruling" on its anti-dumping investigation into imported pecans it initiated in September last year.

"Preliminary evidence indicates that the imported products under investigation are being dumped, causing substantial damage to the relevant domestic industry," the ministry said in a statement.

Vatican Pope Leo XIV pleads with international community as Sudan mass slaughter worsens

The new levies come as trade friction persists between the world's two largest economies, despite plans for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit the US and meet President Donald Trump in September.

On Wednesday, China announced restrictions on drone exports to the US in response to trade sanctions imposed by Washington over forced labour and national security concerns.

In July, the US also banned imports of humanoid robots manufactured abroad, in a move that mainly impacts Chinese firms which lead in the sector.