President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for 75 trading partners that have not retaliated against the US. However, Trump has increased tariffs on China to 125%, escalating the ongoing tit-for-tat retaliation. The pause comes after a week of stock market turmoil and growing pressure from business leaders. Trump's across-the-board 10% duty will be maintained.

US wholesale inventories increased 0.3% in February, according to Census Bureau data. The 0.3% jump follows a 0.8% increase the previous month. Wholesale sales rose 2.4% in February after a 0.9% decline in January, and the inventories-to-sales ratio dropped to 1.30 from 1.32 a month earlier.

Ecommerce logistics company GXO is testing humanoid robots from Reflex Robotics, Agility Robotics and Apptronik in its warehouses. The robots are completing tasks such as moving containers and recycling cardboard. The robots are not yet ready for wide-scale deployment, but GXO Chief Automation Officer Adrian Stoch is optimistic about their potential as AI models become more complex.

Dexterity's Mech is an AI-powered industrial super-humanoid robot featuring "Physical AI," which allows it to adapt to tasks as humans do. The system includes a supercomputer that runs numerous AI models for precise coordination, enabling Mech to handle complex logistics and manufacturing scenarios. It can lift 132 pounds and operate in extreme temperatures.

President Trump's tariffs have disrupted the industrial real estate sector, particularly coastal properties reliant on global trade, leading to reduced occupancy rates, lower property values and slowed development in port cities like Los Angeles and Houston. Inland markets and regions near the US-Mexico border may benefit from reshaped supply chains, with developers focusing on logistics hubs away from seaports as manufacturing shifts closer to consumers. While the adjustment to new trade patterns will take years, the immediate impact has been a rise in vacancy rates and cautious leasing activity.

Email marketing remains a key channel for B2B marketers, with 65.4% using it frequently, eMarketer and Demandbase found in a recent study. The survey also shows that 60.6% of B2B brands have increased ad spending, and marketers primarily measure success through engagement metrics and lead generation.

As tariffs roil markets and threaten everything from employees' retirement accounts to the overall economy, leaders need to be at the forefront, not just to reassure their teams but to give them a realistic picture of the future, even if all the facts remain murky, say executives. Validate employees' fears, says Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, a professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, which can help them stay focused even amid the turmoil. "Part of what we're experiencing is a moment when the emotional turbulence, the human experience, can't be ignored anymore," Sanchez-Burks says.

Prioritize your organization's greatest asset — your people. NAW's premier education programs, such as the online Management Academy and the in-depth Distribution Leadership Program at THE Ohio State University, are designed to equip your high-potential employees with the skills and insights they need to lead and succeed. Ensure your rising stars are prepared to drive your business forward by investing in their growth today. Learn more about how NAW can help you develop the leaders of tomorrow.

Interested in membership with NAW? Reach out and let us know how we can help you.