Occupiers may be able to leverage tariffs and uncertainty to shape business strategies and negotiations, using terms and credit to their advantage, the report said. Diversifying supply chains will be a key risk management strategy for manufacturers regardless of tariff impacts. Operational risk can be diversified through the strategic use of third-party logistics (3PL).

Large corporations should work to position their organizations to capture increased market share when uncertainty subsides by proactively targeting high-quality assets and locations, advised Cushman. In addition, occupiers may consider re-evaluating and reassessing their real estate strategy to align with their business outlook and tailor their approach to optimize space utilization. They should be prepared for more expensive construction fit-outs in the immediate term as well, Cushman noted.

Investors, meanwhile, can take advantage of market volatility by strategically acquiring assets from sellers that are motivated by short-term market fluctuations. With interest rates unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels, investors should look for opportunities when the long-term debt dips below historical averages and capitalize on short-term rate movements, according to Cushman.

CRE assets represent stability during periods of uncertainty, particularly because they encompass a variety of necessity-based categories, including residential, grocery-anchored retail and healthcare that often outperform during weaker growth environments, said the report.