Proposed New U.S. Tariffs Increase Concerns for the Natural Stone Sector and Reinforce the Need for Institutional Engagement

Industry evaluates the potential impacts of new measures announced by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and highlights the importance of intensifying institutional dialogue with the United States.

Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, June 8, 2026 – The Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) is closely monitoring with concern the developments surrounding the new trade measures announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which could significantly increase the impact on Brazilian exports to the U.S. market.

The first proposal stems from an investigation conducted by the U.S. government into practices deemed restrictive to U.S. trade by Brazil and provides for an additional 25% tariff on certain Brazilian products. At the same time, the USTR announced a second proposal related to an investigation involving 60 economies regarding measures adopted to prevent the trade of goods produced with forced labor. In Brazil’s case, the tariff proposed under this second investigation could reach up to 12.5%.

Although they address different issues, both proposals may affect Brazilian products exported to the United States. If approved and implemented cumulatively, certain products could be subject to a significantly higher tariff burden, increasing challenges for exporting companies and creating greater uncertainty throughout the supply chain.

The proposal specifically related to Brazil includes a list of exemptions for products considered strategic to the U.S. economy. Among the exempted classifications is HTSUS 6802.99.00, covering “worked monumental or building stone, nesoi,” a category that includes, among other materials, Brazilian quartzites.

In contrast, under the investigation related to forced labor – which has a broader scope and is associated with the policies and enforcement mechanisms adopted by the countries under review to prevent the entry of goods produced with forced labor into their markets – Brazilian natural stones are not currently included among the known exemptions.

Products potentially affected include important categories within Brazil’s natural stone export portfolio, such as granites, marbles, slates, and other materials classified under tariff codes different from HTSUS 6802.99.00. Should the proposed measures advance, the impacts could directly affect industrial activity, investments, and job preservation throughout the supply chain.

The United States is the primary destination for Brazilian natural stone exports, and any expansion of trade barriers has significant implications for the hundreds of companies that depend on this market. In addition to supplying the U.S. construction industry, Brazilian natural stones are also integrated into American processing and value-added supply chains, contributing to economic activity and job creation in both countries.

“The sector’s level of concern is increasing given the possibility of cumulative tariff measures being applied to Brazilian products. While the inclusion of HTSUS code 6802.99.00 among the exemptions in the proposal specifically related to Brazil is an important development, the new USTR investigation creates a more complex scenario and requires heightened attention. Depending on how these proposals are ultimately implemented and the extent to which they affect products from our sector, the tariff burden on certain categories could exceed the levels currently being discussed individually, reaching, in some scenarios, as much as 37.5%,” said Tales Machado, President of Centrorochas.

Despite the announcements made by the USTR, neither of the proposed measures is currently in effect. Both remain subject to the procedures established under U.S. law, including public consultations, stakeholder submissions, official hearings, and a final decision by the U.S. government before any potential implementation.

Given this scenario, Centrorochas believes the current moment reinforces the importance of maintaining and strengthening the institutional dialogue channels that have been built over the past several months between the Brazilian natural stone sector and strategic stakeholders in the United States.

Since the announcement of the first U.S. tariff measures in 2025, the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) has been leading an ongoing business and institutional diplomacy agenda in the United States, with frequent engagement in Washington and continuous dialogue with business organizations, policymakers, international trade specialists, and organizations connected to the construction industry supply chain.

This effort has sought to increase awareness of the economic relevance of Brazilian natural stones to the U.S. market, strengthen permanent channels of dialogue between the two countries, and position the sector within discussions related to competitiveness, supply chains, and international trade.

The association will continue to actively monitor the ongoing processes, including the hearings scheduled by the USTR throughout July, while reinforcing its engagement with strategic stakeholders in the United States and keeping companies and the broader sector informed of developments and potential impacts on Brazilian natural stone exports.

Brazilian Natural Stone Association
(Centrorochas)