In 2018, the U.S. imported 2.20 billion sq. ft. of ceramic tile, up 4.7% from 2017. Imports comprised 70.7% of 2018 U.S. tile consumption in sq. ft., up from 68.6% in 2017.
China remained the largest exporter of ceramic tile to the U.S. (in sq. ft.), a position it has held each year since 2015. Chinese imports made up 31.5% of U.S. imports (in sq. ft.) in 2018, the highest annual percentage China has ever held of the U.S. import market. The 10% tariff increase on Chinese ceramic tile imports imposed by the Trump administration took effect at the end of Sept., but it is unlikely this will have any meaningful impact on China's market position.