America is experiencing a housing affordability crisis. For millions of families, the dream of homeownership is drifting further out of reach. Politicians across the spectrum say they want to fix this problem. One trade case under consideration by the government could drive home costs even higher.
Insight into pertinent issues affecting stone industry professionals dominated the panel discussion presented by members of the Natural Stone Institute executive committee during Coverings 2026.
The U.S. International Trade Commission voted 2-1 in the affirmative in a key decision affecting the quartz surface products market, setting the stage for a follow-up hearing on April 14 to consider potential remedies.
On Friday, February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the bulk of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff regime, ruling 6-3 that he exceeded his authority by using a 1977 emergency law to unilaterally impose import duties on nearly every American trading partner, a decision with immediate implications for industries reliant on imported raw materials, including the more than 20,000 stone fabrication and installation companies across the country.
A 50% U.S. tariff on Indian granite and marble has severely disrupted the natural stone trade between the two countries, forcing distributors to raise prices and limiting product availability for American fabricators and consumers.
The Brazilian stone industry is facing new challenges as U.S. tariffs reshape the import landscape. Speaking on the Stone World Podcast, Fabio Cruz of Centrorochas outlined how the tariffs are impacting exports and what fabricators should know.
Statement made by Jim Hieb, NSI CEO – Friday, August 1, 2025
August 1, 2025
The Natural Stone Institute joins Centrorochas and the National Association of Home Builders at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C., this morning, Friday, August 1st in a stance to fight the U.S. tariff on Brazilian stone products.
