California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) announced that his state is suing President Donald Trump over his tariffs, arguing the duties negatively affect the state.
Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta further allege in the filing that Trump lacks the authority to impose the tariffs without congressional approval.
“Today I announced a lawsuit on behalf of the state of California, suing the Trump administration,” Newsom said in a video statement. “California is the largest manufacturing state in our union, one of the largest trading partners around the globe. No state will be impacted more than the state of California as it relates to the unilateral authority that’s been asserted by the Trump administration to impose the largest tax increase in modern American history.”
Bonta said in a statement obtained by news outlets that Trump’s “chaotic and haphazard implementation of tariffs is not only deeply troubling, it’s illegal.”
“As the fifth-largest economy in the world, California understands global trade policy is not just a game. Californians are bracing for fallout from the impact of the President’s choices — from farmers in the Central Valley, to small businesses in Sacramento, and worried families at the kitchen table — this game the President is playing has very real consequences for Californians across our state,” he said. “I am proud to go to bat alongside Governor Newsom to fight for California’s vibrant economy, businesses, and residents.”
The lawsuit comes days after Newsom called for the state to pursue “strategic” relationships with world leaders, urging them to make a retaliatory tariff exception for California exports.
“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,” Newsom 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.
