Tariffs remain among the priorities, while the agenda advances toward closer ties with the U.S. supply chain and provokes discussions on internationalization, infrastructure, and a stronger institutional presence in the country.
The agenda for the Brazilian natural stone sector in the United States has been expanding. Following three days of meetings in Washington, D.C., tariffs remain among the priorities, while discussions on greater integration with the U.S. supply chain, internationalization, and institutional presence in the country progress.
Held from September 15 to 17, the mission was promoted by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) through the sectoral It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone. Participants included Fábio Cruz, the vice president of Centrorochas, and Kristina Rosales, who leads the advocacy firm that represents the sector in Washington.
Over the three days, meetings were held at the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of State, the Embassy of Brazil, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce/Brazil–U.S. Business Council, and the Atlantic Council, besides meetings with other stakeholders involved in economic relations between Brazil and the United States.
One of the key developments is the need to increase the participation of U.S. companies and organizations in discussions that refer to the sector. Most Brazilian stones arrive in the USA as semi-finished slabs and undergo further manufacturing, distribution, and installation within the country itself. Thus, issues affecting the competitiveness of Brazilian materials also have an impact on U.S. importers, distributors, manufacturers, and installers. One of the next steps will be to strengthen engagement with these stakeholders, bringing U.S. companies and organizations closer to the discussions that affect the sector’s competitiveness.
“The tariff issue intensified our efforts in Washington, but our work cannot end there. It remains a priority, while this series of appointments has been demonstrating that there is a much broader relationship to be developed. We need to forge closer ties with the U.S. supply chain, increase understanding of the importance of our materials in that market, and establish a sustained institutional presence. This expands our participation in discussions affecting the sector’s competitiveness and can also open up new opportunities for Brazilian companies,” says Fábio Cruz.
Housing affordability enters the agenda
The relationship between the competitiveness of Brazilian stones and housing affordability in the USA gained momentum during the mission, particularly during discussions in the Senate. Since a significant share of the materials undergoes further processing, distribution, and installation after arriving in the USA, any potential cost increases do not affect only Brazilian exporters; they also influence U.S. companies and professionals and can have an impact on the inputs used in residential construction.
“When we demonstrate that Brazilian stone continues to stimulate the economic chain after arriving in the USA, the discussion is no longer solely about imports. It also encompasses the competitiveness of U.S. companies and the cost of construction within the country,” Fábio adds.
New paths for engagement in the USA
Concrete steps were also taken regarding tariffs. At the U.S. Department of State, the sector was asked to submit the tariff codes deemed priorities and the technical materials previously presented to the USTR, in order to continue the dialogue through the internal channels of the U.S. government.
At the same time, paths to expand the presence of Brazilian companies in the market and bring them closer to the local supply chain are being assessed. This discussion progressed at the U.S. Department of Commerce and will be further explored by the sector.
Another area emerged from conversations with the Atlantic Council, involving infrastructure and investment as factors that could help expand trade between Brazil and the United States. The discussion is still at an early stage, but it paves the way for further developments in the sector’s institutional agenda.
About It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone
It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone is an export promotion program developed by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). The program aims to encourage and increase exports of Brazilian natural stones, through a set of strategic internationalization actions with initiatives geared towards promotion, strengthening of the image and development of the industry in the global market. Companies interested in being part of the project must visit https://podio.com/webforms/26378838/1995038 to register for free.
About Centrorochas
Founded in 2004, the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) is the national representative body for the Brazilian natural stone industry. Operating in 17 states, with a network of over 470 member and supported companies, it represents and coordinates one of the leading natural stone producing and exporting sectors in the world. The organization works to defend the interests and strengthen the competitiveness of the production chain, promoting dialogue with government authorities, institutions, and strategic partners. Its initiatives encompass sector development, sustainability, innovation, market intelligence and knowledge, training, trade promotion, and internationalization, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness and expanding the presence of Brazilian natural stones in Brazil and abroad.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and to attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve these objectives, the Agency carries out several trade promotion activities aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad. They include prospective and trade missions, rounds of negotiations, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, and visits of foreign buyers and opinion formers to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand. The Agency also works in coordination with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors, aiming at the development of competitiveness of Brazilian companies and of the country.
