Comment from Granite Corp

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express serious concerns regarding the recently approved tariffs on imported quartz slabs resulting from the lawsuit filed by certain U.S. quartz manufacturers against international importers. Our company has proudly served customers in the stone and surfacing industry for over 20 years, offering a wide selection of quartz products to meet varying customer preferences and design needs. While we understand the intent behind protecting domestic manufacturing, the current tariffs will have unintended and harmful consequences for businesses like ours without achieving the intended economic benefit for U.S. manufacturers. The primary issue is that many of the quartz colors and styles we import are simply not produced by U.S. manufacturers involved in the lawsuit. The imported products we carry fill a market demand that domestic suppliers are not currently meeting. As a result, these tariffs will not redirect our purchases toward American-made quartz because comparable alternatives do not exist. For example, one of the leading companies involved in the lawsuit, Cambria Quartz, offers a very distinct and limited design style. We currently display Cambria products in our showroom, and while some customers appreciate their offerings, many of our clients specifically seek colors, patterns, and aesthetics that are only available through international manufacturers. The imported products are not replacing domestic products; they are serving a different segment of customer demand. These tariffs will significantly increase our costs during an already difficult economic period. Like many small and medium-sized businesses, we are facing inflation, rising operational expenses, and cautious consumer spending. Additional import costs will place enormous financial strain on our company and may force price increases that our customers cannot afford. This could ultimately reduce sales, limit consumer choice, and negatively impact jobs within our industry. We respectfully ask that regulators reconsider the broad application of these tariffs or consider exemptions for products and designs that are not manufactured domestically. Policies intended to support American manufacturing should not unintentionally harm American businesses that rely on specialized imported products unavailable from U.S. suppliers. Thank you for your time and consideration of our concerns. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on this important matter and hope that the impact on small businesses, employees, and consumers will be carefully considered moving forward. Sincerely, Dave Godde 630-801-9955