Possible new U.S. tariff surcharge raises concerns and reinforces the need for institutional dialogue, says Brazilian Natural Stone Sector

Brazilian Natural Stone Association monitors developments related to the proposal announced by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and highlights the importance of maintaining permanent dialogue channels.

Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, June 2, 2026 – The Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) is closely monitoring the proposal announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on June 2, 2026, which provides for the application of a 25% surcharge on selected Brazilian exports to the U.S. market.

The measure follows the conclusion of an investigation conducted by the U.S. government regarding practices considered restrictive to American trade and has generated concern across several Brazilian export sectors due to its potential impact on competitiveness and the predictability of trade relations between the two countries.

The proposal released by the USTR includes a list of exceptions 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. Nevertheless, the scenario remains a source of concern for the sector, as approximately 45% of the revenue generated by Brazilian natural stone exports remains potentially exposed to the effects of the proposed measure.

Among the products not covered by the exceptions announced by the USTR are important categories within Brazil’s natural stone export portfolio, including granites, marbles, slates, and other materials classified under tariff codes different from HTSUS 6802.99.00. Should the proposed measures move forward, the impacts could be significant for a large portion of the industry’s production activity and for employment throughout the supply chain.

“The sector’s level of concern remains high. The United States is the main destination for Brazilian natural stone exports, and the proposal announced by the USTR once again places approximately 45% of the sector’s export revenue at risk. The inclusion of one of our product classifications among the exceptions is certainly a relevant development, but we are still assessing the impacts on other important categories within our export portfolio,” said Tales Machado, President of Centrorochas.

“The impact is even more severe for small and medium-sized companies, most of which depend almost exclusively on the export of these materials to sustain their operations. In many cases, these products account for 100% of a company’s revenue, placing both their economic viability and the preservation of jobs at significant risk,” added the industry leader.

Next Steps

Although the investigation has been concluded, the proposed measures cannot take effect immediately. Under U.S. law, the process remains ongoing and includes public consultations, stakeholder submissions, and an official hearing before any final decision on potential corrective measures is made.

The next steps include a public hearing scheduled for July 6 and the statutory deadline of July 15 for the potential determination and implementation of the proposed measures.

Given this scenario, Centrorochas believes the current moment reinforces the importance of maintaining and strengthening the institutional dialogue channels established over recent months between the Brazilian natural stone sector and key stakeholders in the United States.

Institutional Engagement

Since the announcement of the first U.S. tariff measures in 2025, Centrorochas has been leading a continuous business and institutional diplomacy agenda in the United States, with frequent engagement in Washington and ongoing dialogue with business organizations, government representatives, international trade experts, and organizations connected to the construction industry supply chain.

This work has sought to increase awareness of the economic relevance of Brazilian natural stones to the U.S. market while strengthening permanent channels of dialogue between the two countries.

In this context, Centrorochas reinforces the importance of maintaining and strengthening the business and institutional diplomacy agenda built over the past several months. The association will continue to closely monitor developments in the process and expand dialogue with strategic stakeholders in the United States throughout the upcoming stages outlined in the USTR timeline.

As the process has not yet been concluded, Centrorochas emphasizes that the proposal remains subject to the procedures established under the U.S. regulatory framework. The association will continue to monitor developments and keep companies and the broader sector informed of any relevant updates.

Brazilian Natural Stone Association

(Centrorochas)