California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has called for the state to pursue “strategic” relationships with world leaders, urging them to make a retaliatory tariff exception for California exports.
“California leads the nation as the #1 state for agriculture and manufacturing — and it’s our workers, families, and farmers who stand to lose the most from this Trump tax hike and trade war,” Newsom said in a statement. “To our international partners: As the fifth largest economy in the world, the Golden State will remain a steady, reliable partner for generations to come, no matter the turbulence coming out of Washington. California is not Washington, D.C.”
“Donald Trump’s tariffs do not represent all Americans, and on behalf of the 40 million Americans that live in the great state of California, the tentpole of the U.S. economy, 14% of the U.S. GDP, the fifth largest economy in the world, the dominant manufacturing state in America,” he said. “Our state of mind is around supporting stable trading relationships around the globe.”
“And that’s why I’ve directed my administration to look at new opportunities to expand trade, and to remind our trading partners around the globe that California remains a stable partner,” he said.
A press release from Newsom’s office says that the state’s “economy and workers rely heavily on trade with Mexico, Canada, and China.”
“Over 40% of California imports come from these countries, totaling $203 billion of the more than $491 billion in goods imported by California in 2024,” the release said. “The tariffs will also affect access to important construction materials critical to rebuilding after the Los Angeles fires, including timber and wood, steel and aluminum, and the most important components of drywall.”
