Third-party logistics (3PL) providers based in Asia have been scooping up large warehouse leases in Southern California as they brace for higher tariffs on goods shipped to the U.S.

Retailers and wholesalers upped their foreign imports into the U.S. last year in anticipation of potential tariffs by the Trump Administration, driving a surge in demand for U.S. coastal industrial facilities from Asian-based 3PLs.

Overall, Asian-based logistics providers inked 78 bulk warehouse leases each encompassing 100K square feet or more in the U.S. in 2024, with most of these deals involving facilities within 100 miles of a U.S. seaport, according to a new report from CBRE. Sixteen of these bulk leases were for lower-rent sublease space that became available in oversupplied markets.