TAG Industrial Watch: March 14, 2026

While the media’s attention is rightfully focused on the war in the Middle East, the Trump Administration may have unveiled its long-term solution when it comes to tariffs. When the Supreme Court ruled the president’s “reciprocal” tariffs unconstitutional last month, Trump immediately responded by exercising Section 122 under the Trade Act of 1974 that allows him to temporarily levy tariffs up to 15% for 150 days due to “large and serious” trade deficits. A recent article by CNBC reports that President Trump is now exploring Section 301 under the same law that allows the U.S. government to impose tariffs or other trade penalties if foreign policies (keyword) are found to harm domestic commerce by creating unfair advantages for foreign producers.

Unlike Section 122, trade restrictions under Section 301 have no explicitly stated limit or range. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has already opened investigations on trade with 16 nations, including most of America’s largest trading partners in the European Union, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Japan. Ironically, many U.S. policies can also be seen as creating unfair advantages for domestic producers. For example, the U.S. is the leading global exporter of corn, with those farmers receiving significant subsidies from the federal government. Nevertheless, these investigations reopen the door for higher and sustained tariff rates, which will continue to pressure imports, the bedrock of today’s industrial real estate market in the U.S. Industrial investors who are planning for the future may find that the best returns rest in export-related properties, many of which present untapped opportunities.

I N D U S T R I A L   N E W S