The Trump administration’s new tariffs on imported quartz slabs, ranging from 19% to 50% over four years, are dividing the construction and home improvement industry. The tariffs, which took effect in August 2026, target imported quartz used for countertops, backsplashes, and bathroom tiles, with supporters arguing they will create domestic manufacturing jobs and opponents warning of increased consumer costs.
The levies operate on a quota system. During the first year, a 25% tariff applies to imports within an annual threshold of 13 million square meters, rising to 50% for imports exceeding that threshold. Several countries are exempted, including South Korea, Canada, Mexico, and dozens of developing nations.
The tariffs were prompted by a petition from the Quartz Manufacturing Alliance of America, led by Minnesota-based Cambria, a major quartz processor. Cambria CEO Marty Davis, a Trump donor who has given more than $1 million in the current election cycle, has been a vocal supporter of the trade action. The White House denied that donations influenced the decision, saying the administration’s trade policy is guided by the best interests of the American people.
Critics argue the tariffs will make homes and renovation projects more expensive at a time when Americans are already struggling with housing affordability. The Save Quartz Jobs coalition, representing businesses that measure, cut, and install quartz surfaces, called the decision disappointing and said it will place additional strain on small businesses that depend on competitively priced imports.
“At a time when Americans are already struggling with housing affordability and rising living expenses, this decision will make homes and home-improvement projects more expensive,” the coalition said in a statement.
The impact is being felt in the Chicago area, where home construction and renovation activity has remained strong despite economic headwinds. Local quartz fabricators and installers report that the tariffs are already affecting supply chains and pricing negotiations. Several firms have warned clients of potential price increases.
The tariffs are imposed under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows temporary safeguards to protect domestic industries. Previous tariffs on Chinese quartz imposed in 2019 led to a shift in imports to India and Southeast Asia, with global imports cresting at more than 20 million square meters in 2024.
For Chicago’s construction industry, the tariffs add another layer of cost pressure at a time when material prices and labor costs have been rising steadily. Builders and remodelers are evaluating whether to absorb the increases or pass them along to customers.
