BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
1.
On May 18, 2026, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) submitted a report to the President concerning its investigation under section 202 of the amended Trade Act of 1974. This report focused on imports of quartz surface products (QSP), categorized under subheadings 6810.99.0020, 6810.99.0040, and 7020.00.6000 in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).
2.
The ITC concluded affirmatively under section 202(b) of the Trade Act that the increased importation of QSP is significantly harming the domestic industry that produces similar or competitive products.
3.
According to section 301(a) of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA Implementation Act), the ITC found that imports from Canada and Mexico, when considered individually, do not constitute a substantial portion of total imports nor significantly contribute to the injury caused by imports.
4.
Further findings by the ITC, pursuant to various free trade agreements, indicated that imports of QSP from Australia, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement countries (Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua), Colombia, Jordan, the Republic of Korea, Panama, Peru, and Singapore do not significantly cause or threaten serious injury.
5.
The ITC also determined, under section 403 of the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984, that the injury to the domestic industry is not due to reduced duties under the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement. Similarly, under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), the ITC found that duty-free treatment from the Caribbean Basin Initiative or the Generalized System of Preferences program does not substantially cause the injury.
6.
ITC Commissioners who supported the finding of serious injury provided the President with their individual recommendations to effectively address the injuries to the domestic industry.
7.
On June 2, 2026, the United States Trade Representative requested further information from the ITC under section 203(a)(5) of the Trade Act. The ITC responded on July 2, 2026, identifying unforeseen developments that resulted in increased QSP imports causing significant injury, as detailed in the ITC Supplemental Report. This report clarified that increased imports from countries other than those previously identified are a substantial cause of injury to the domestic industry.
8.
Considering section 203 of the Trade Act, the ITC Report, and the ITC Supplemental Report, it has been determined that implementing a safeguard measure, as described in section 203(a)(3) of the Trade Act, is suitable. This action pertains to QSP outlined in the ITC’s Notice of Institution and classified under specific HTSUS subheadings.
9.
A safeguard measure in the form of a tariff-rate quota will be imposed on QSP imports for a four-year period. This measure includes annual adjustments to within-quota quantities and duty rates for goods exceeding these quantities, as detailed in the Annex to this proclamation.
10.
This safeguard measure will apply to imports from all countries, except those specified in paragraphs 11 through 14 of this proclamation.
11.
Products from developing countries listed in subdivision (c) of Note 41 in the Annex will be exempt from the safeguard measure, provided these countries’ import shares do not exceed specified thresholds. Should a World Trade Organization member country exceed these thresholds, the action will be adjusted accordingly.
12.
Under section 302(a) of the USMCA Implementation Act, it is determined that imports from Canada and Mexico do not significantly contribute to the serious injury, and thus, QSP from these countries is excluded from this action.
13.
After reviewing the ITC reports, the following determinations are made regarding QSP imports from various trading partners:
(a) Imports from Australia are not a significant cause of the serious injury, and thus are excluded from this action under the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
(b) Imports from each CAFTA-DR country are individually not a substantial cause of serious injury, and are excluded as per the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act.
(c) Imports from Colombia are not a significant cause, and are excluded under the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act.
(d) The injury is not due to duty reductions under the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement, and duties on imports from Israel will not be suspended as per the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984.
(e) Imports from the Republic of Korea are not a substantial cause, and are excluded under the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
(f) Imports from Panama are not a significant cause of injury, and are excluded as per the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act.
(g) Imports from Peru are not a substantial cause of injury, and are excluded under the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act.
(h) Imports from Singapore do not significantly cause injury, and are excluded as per the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
(i) Duty-free treatment under CBERA is not a substantial cause of injury, and such treatment will continue for imports from CBERA beneficiary countries.
14.
Although the ITC recommended excluding Jordan, it is determined that imports from Jordan, a developing country, are excluded from this action.
15.
It is determined that the safeguard measure will aid the domestic industry in adjusting to import competition and provide more benefits than costs. If further actions are needed, or if conditions under section 204(b)(1) of the Trade Act are met, the measure may be adjusted accordingly. Consultations with WTO Members may also lead to changes in the safeguard measure.
16.
After considering all relevant reports and factors, it is concluded that the actions taken are suitable to help the domestic industry adjust to import competition and will yield greater benefits than costs.
17.
Section 604 of the Trade Act authorizes the President to integrate relevant provisions into the HTSUS, including any modifications, continuations, or impositions of duties or restrictions.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including the specified sections of the Trade Act, USMCA Implementation Act, various Free Trade Agreement Implementation Acts, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, hereby proclaim:
(1) A tariff-rate quota on QSP imports, as described in paragraph 8, is established, modifying subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS as detailed in the Annex. Merchandise subject to this measure must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” and will be subject to related tariffs and restrictions.
(2) Imports from Australia, Canada, CAFTA-DR countries, CBERA beneficiaries, Colombia, Republic of Korea, Israel, Mexico, Panama, Peru, or Singapore are excluded from the safeguard measure and will not count toward the tariff-rate quota.
(3) Imports from developing countries listed in subdivision (c) of Note 41 are excluded from the safeguard measure and will not count toward the tariff-rate quota.
(4) The Trade Representative has the authority to adjust the list of exempted countries in Note 41 if a country’s import share exceeds specified limits or if a country is no longer considered developing.
(5) If circumvention of this action is detected, additional measures may be taken to prevent it, including revisions to Note 41.
(6) If a surge in imports from an exempted country occurs, the safeguard measure will extend to those imports. Additional actions may be taken to address the surge, including revisions to Note 41.
(7) The Trade Representative is authorized to exercise authority regarding imports from Canada or Mexico under the USMCA Implementation Act, including revisions to Note 41.
(8) The Trade Representative may negotiate agreements with foreign trade partners to limit QSP exports and imports, and to invest in QSP production in the U.S. If effective, the Trade Representative can revise Note 41 to suspend measures for those partners.
(9) The HTSUS modifications will take effect on August 15, 2026, and continue as provided in the Annex, unless earlier changes are made.
(10) Within a year of the safeguard measure’s end, the relevant HTSUS provisions will be removed.
(11) The Trade Representative will determine if HTSUS modifications are needed to implement this proclamation and will make necessary changes.
(12) The Trade Representative and Secretary of Homeland Security are directed to implement this proclamation, including regulatory amendments and guidance, using all powers granted to the President.
(13) Any previous proclamations or Executive Orders conflicting with this action are superseded.
(14) If any part of this proclamation is found invalid, the rest remains unaffected.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.
ANNEX
DONALD J. TRUMP
