The 3 T's: Tariffs, Trade War, and...Tile?

[April 14, 2025]

If you’ve been anywhere near the news lately, you’ve probably seen it: the return of tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, and that old friend nobody invited back to the party — the trade war. Recent developments between the United States and China have reignited tensions, with sweeping new tariff rates and a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for some countries, but not all. Spoiler: China didn’t make the guest list.

Although the reciprocal tariffs for all countries except for China will be paused for 90 days for negotiations, the new universal 10% tariffs on all imports & the 25% on Canada and Mexico are still in effect.

The US administration's move to hike tariffs as high as 145% on select Chinese imports — while simultaneously offering a short-term reprieve to over 75 other countries — has sent global markets into a tailspin. China, for its part, has responded with a retaliatory rate of 125% on US goods. These numbers seem to be changing by the hour, so we recommend researching specific rates if you're worried about how it will impact your project.

While we don’t have a crystal ball, the future for tile, stone, and other building materials feels more uncertain than ever. That uncertainty is the very reason we're writing this blog — to help our clients, partners, and friends make sense of it all.

What Are Tariffs, Anyway?

The question millions found themselves typing into Google last week.

Tariffs are essentially taxes that governments impose on imports. When a product is brought in from another country — say, a beautiful Calacatta Gold marble slab from Italy — the government can charge an extra fee on top of its normal cost. That fee? That's your tariff. It's collected by the importing government (in this case, the United States), and it's usually paid by the importer — which then trickles down to businesses and, eventually, to the end consumer.

In theory, tariffs are designed to protect domestic industries or penalize unfair trade practices. They essentially can level the playing field on pricing for products that are made both domestically & internationally, offsetting foreign cost advantages such as manufacturing subsidies, labor wages, and overall lower production costs. But it's not quite as black and white as a penguin. In practice, they often mean higher costs for materials, supply chain disruption, and unpredictable price spikes— especially in sectors like construction and design, where imported materials are foundational. For some products, there aren't existing domestic suppliers, meaning there is no playing field to level.

This isn’t the first time the tile world has been swept into the drama of international policy. In 2018, anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese tile disrupted pricing and availability. Today, we’re seeing a similar storm brewing — but it’s bigger, broader, and threatens more than just one country’s exports.

And it doesn't stop at China. The administration has floated the possibility of expanding reciprocal tariffs to the European Union — which just so happens to be where a majority of the world's tile is made. Italy, Spain, and Portugal? All major exporters. Imagine a 20% price increase on materials that are already moving through a complicated global logistics system. And while the news cycle tends to focus on things like tech or steel, you'll forgive us for pointing out that ceramic and marble don't exactly travel coach either.

Pictured above: The reciprocal tariff rates that were proposed to go into effect on 4/9/2025, and now on a 90 day pause with the exception of China at 145%.

What Are The Tariffs On Tile?

As of April 14, 2025…

●      The new additional universal tariff for most countries is 10%; the country-specific reciprocal tariffs are paused for 90 days

●      Mexico and Canada are still receiving a 25% tariff

●      China is the highest at 145%

●      All of the above-mentioned amounts are applied IN ADDITION to all other HTS duties and pre-existing tariffs.

●      Tariffs are calculated based on the value of the material, as shown on the commercial invoices that are submitted to US Customs.

Example Scenario

DISCLAIMER: This is a simplified demonstration; there are other fees and charges associated with importing products into the USA, and these numbers do not include the fees, freight, or other charges.

You can see now how seemingly small tariff changes, such as 10%, can have a big impact on the price of building materials for the end user. Due to the increased cost & financial burden to obtain the materials, some percentage of customers will be deterred from buying them, which in turn decreases the sales for these exporters. Fewer sales mean less innovation & fewer new products, but the trade-off is that domestic porcelain tile production & sales will increase - and in turn, domestic innovation & new products. 

Of course, the main reason for tariffs is exactly this - to shift the demand for some imports to provide an opportunity for more domestic sales of the same product. But what if that product is impossible to produce domestically? And here is where natural stone enters the conversation.

Tariffs Chisel Away at Global Marble

Not everything can be made in the US, and that's not just a matter of labor or infrastructure — sometimes, it's geography. Marble, one of the most sought-after natural stones in tile and design, is a prime example. The beauty of certain natural stones lies in their origin: the unique veining, color, and composition of marbles such as Calacatta Gold or Bianco Carrara exist because of the specific geological conditions in northern Italy. No amount of domestic production can replicate that.

Pictured above: a Carrara marble quarry in Tuscany, Italy

Here’s a quick marble geography refresher:

While the United States does produce some marble — notably from Vermont and Georgia — it often differs in tone, consistency, and pattern from its European counterparts. Domestic options are valuable and beautiful in their own right, but they're not always a one-to-one swap in a world of curated design and material specificity. Unique variation is an inevitable feature & value of natural stone - every tile, slab, lot, quarry, and region has its own distinct natural stones. However, many variations cherished in interior design simply don't exist naturally in the United States.

Now imagine the proposed 20% reciprocal tariff layered on top of a luxury material already commanding premium pricing. That’s not just a markup — that’s a decision-altering figure for designers and builders. And calling it anything less than an unfair trade disruption feels, well... polished.

At Architessa, we carry a wide selection of natural stone — including premium imported marble — in stock to ship nationwide or pick-up at our US warehouses in Baltimore and Rockville, MD, helping you avoid the volatility of future shipments.

Shop our Stock Natural Stone Tile

What Tariffs Mean for Your Projects

When tariffs hit, they ripple through every layer of a project:

●      As a tile seller, we face higher landed costs, longer lead times, and increased difficulty in price forecasting. This complicates quoting, client expectations, and even what products we choose to carry. During these times, clearly communicating the impact of potential tariffs on client projects is crucial; as is keeping domestic substitutes in mind & offering stocked tile for projects needing tile that is import-only.

●      As a builder, architect, or contractor,your specs might suddenly become more expensive, or your client may balk at material costs. Projects already mid-planning may need to pivot quickly — not ideal in a timeline-driven industry. To minimize the impact here - make sure you work with a supplier with a responsive team experienced in working with tariffs and trade complications. Considering USA-made, Value-Engineered Tile & stock alternatives and shopping from USA-based suppliers experienced in both domestic & imported tile will also mitigate risk.

●      As a homeowner or end user, you may find that the exact tile you fell in love with is now out of budget or out of stock. Imported finishes could take longer to arrive or be swapped out for alternatives mid-project. Consider looking into USA-made & stock alternatives if you are concerned with supply chain disruptions or tariff changes. Keep in mind that the new tariffs won't usually be reflected in the price of items - so understanding the "landed cost" is crucial on all imports, not just tile.

It’s a domino effect — and everyone in the chain feels the wobble.

Mitigating the Impact of Tariffs with USA-Made Tile

So, what can you do? Plan. Strategize. Consider this your sign to factor tariffs into your material choices early in the project — especially if you're working on large-scale commercial jobs or multi-phase builds.

We know this is much easier said than done, and tariffs are the last thing anyone wants to worry about when sourcing material for a project, regardless of size. Thankfully, our team has over 40 years of experience navigating the complicated logistics of purchasing tile and natural stone and has fared through many storms like this one before. Contact our sales team at sales@architessa.com for guidance in sourcing tile for your next project. We have a team of experts specialized in both commercial & residential projects - providing tile for jobs as small as a single kitchen backsplash ranging up to huge commercial projects such as multifamily apartment buildings, hotels, event centers, and more.

Buying USA-made tile helps reduce risk. So does selecting stocked imported tile already warehoused domestically. Both options give you a leg up on price predictability and availability.

Browse our USA-made and Stocked Tile collections to find options that work within current economic conditions.

Stock USA-Made	Stock Tile	USA-Made

Built for the Long Haul

For over 40 years, Architessa has brought artful living and highly curated design to diverse client spaces across the country. Certified Women-Owned and family-operated since our founding, we bring generations of knowledge, passion, and experience to an ever-evolving industry. Architessa is an American-owned & operated business, local to the East Coast but serving clients nationally.

We are a comprehensive tile and stone company serving homeowners, designers, and architects alike. Our vast library spans ceramic, porcelain, glass, natural stone, marble, wood, LVP, terracotta, and more. We source tile from an incomparable global network of vendors, bringing both domestic and international materials to our showrooms in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Atlanta metro areas — and beyond, via our national reps.

With thousands of tile options available and over 30 specialty vendors for custom orders, we work to find the perfect fit for your space — no matter what the market looks like.

We know how hard it is to navigate uncertain markets. That’s why we’re committed to offering flexible, smart solutions. If tariffs have you concerned about a current or upcoming project, reach out to your Architessa sales representative or sales@architessa.com to discuss your best path forward.

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