The Coalition for Fair Trade in Ceramic Tile has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of International Trade challenging the Commerce Department's recent determination regarding ceramic tile imports from India, setting up a legal battle over trade practices that industry leaders say threaten American manufacturers.

The Coalition is appealing Commerce's finding that ceramic tile from India is not being sold in the United States at less-than-fair-value, as defined under section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930. The appeal also challenges Commerce's calculation of countervailable subsidies provided by the Indian government to ceramic tile producers and exporters, even though Commerce did acknowledge these subsidies exist.

Eric Astrachan, executive director of the Coalition for Fair Trade in Ceramic Tile, expressed understanding for the difficulties Commerce investigators faced during their review. "By statute, Commerce is time-limited in its investigation, at a time when we understand more trade remedy actions have been launched than at any time in Commerce's history since the Tariff Act of 1930 became law," Astrachan said.

He added that the Coalition hopes the appeal "will give Commerce the time it needs to reevaluate the information they received," indicating potential procedural concerns with the original investigation timeline and scope.

The legal filing follows a May 19, 2025, unanimous determination from the United States International Trade Commission that "U.S. industry is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of ceramic tile from India." This affirmative ruling provides support for the Coalition's position that Indian imports pose legitimate competitive threats to domestic manufacturers.

Trade data reveals concerning import pricing patterns, according to industry analysts. Andrew Whitmire, trade data analyst for the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), stated that "the prices we are tracking on imports from India defy credulity and can be deeply injurious to American ceramic tile manufacturing and the many thousands of families that rely on their good jobs at U.S. tile facilities."

The trade dispute has broader implications for domestic manufacturing investment. Michael Kephart, President of the U.S. Tile Collaborative, argued that "with appropriate tariffs to level the playing field and offset dumping and subsidies, tile manufacturers from all over the world want to build in America where we have plentiful raw materials, inexpensive natural gas, and an eager, talented, and growing workforce."

The Coalition will file a detailed complaint outlining its rationale within the coming weeks, according to Court rules. The appeal represents a significant challenge to Commerce Department trade determinations and could influence how similar cases are handled in the future.