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Potential Trump Tariffs Drive Asian 3PL Companies to U.S. Industrial Space
The Trump administration’s on-again-off-again tariff policies impact deliveries coming into the U.S. from Canada, China and Mexico. As a result, third-party logistics (3PL) firms continue to determine the documentation and fees required for such imports.
Furthermore, in response to retailers and wholesalers increasing imports ahead of the tariffs (whenever they occur), 3PL firms headquartered in Asia have been taking more industrial space in the United States, according to a recent analysis by CBRE.
The analysis indicated that the Asian 3PLs drive industrial demand for U.S. coastal facilities. Of the 428 new bulk leases signed by 3PL providers in 2024:
- 18% were by Asian-based companies
- More than 80% of their lease signings involved facilities within 100 miles of a U.S. seaport
- Lower-rent sublease space accounted for 21% of Asian company leases
Furthermore, leases signed for such facilities increased by 16% from 2023.
The CBRE analysts also explained that California’s Inland Empire was the target location for the Asian 3PL advisors, accounting for 28 of the bulk leases in 2024. The Asian providers also accounted for 42.4% of the Inland Empire’s total leases signed by 3PL providers. Philadelphia came in second, with 29.4% of 3PL leases signed by Asian companies.
Given the likelihood of increased tariffs on certain imports, “Asian 3PL providers likely will account for a solid share of overall 3PL leasing activity in 2025,” the analysis said.
- ◦Lease
- ◦Policy/Gov't
