Top Democrat Governor To Ask Foreign Nations To Exempt State From ‘Retaliatory’ Tariffs

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Friday he intends to ask global trading partners to exempt the state from any ‘retaliatory’ tariffs imposed on the United States.

“TO OUR TRADING PARTNERS AROUND THE GLOBE — California is here and ready to talk. We will not sit idly by during Trump’s tariff war. We make up 14% of the US GDP. We’re the 5th largest economy in the world.  We’re not scared to use our market power to fight back against the largest tax hike of our lifetime,” Newsom wrote.

“Donald Trump’s tariffs do not represent all Americans. And on behalf of 40 million Americans that live in the great state of California, the tentpole of the U.S. economy,” Newsom said in a video posted to X.

“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 continued.

WATCH:

TO OUR TRADING PARTNERS AROUND THE GLOBE — California is here and ready to talk.

We will not sit idly by during Trump’s tariff war.

We make up 14% of the US GDP. We’re the 5th largest economy in the world. 

We’re not scared to use our market power to fight back against the… pic.twitter.com/yTfbcWW1sO

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 4, 2025

Fox News reports:

Sources in Newsom’s administration told Fox News Digital Thursday night the announcement was a direct response to President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff plan, which sets out a baseline duty of 10% on all imports to the U.S. and some higher percentages for other top traders.

Newsom added he’s directed his administration to seek out new opportunities to “expand trade” and “remind trading partners around the world that California remains a stable partner.”

The Newsom administration is worried that California’s almond industry, a major agricultural exporter, will lose billions of dollars as nations like China, India and the European Union move to impose retaliatory tariffs.

“Gavin Newsom should focus on out-of-control homelessness, crime, regulations, and unaffordability in California instead of trying his hand at international dealmaking,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai told Fox News Digital Friday morning.

Individual states do not have the legal authority to independently negotiate or make global trading deals regarding tariffs, according to the Constitution. Trade policy, including tariffs, is a power reserved for the federal government. Specifically, the Constitution grants Congress the authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations in Article 1 Section 8, and this includes the power to impose tariffs and negotiate trade agreements.

Almonds, California’s most valuable food export, account for about 20% of the state’s $23.6 billion in agricultural sales abroad and 2.5% of its total exports, according to the California Department of Food & Agriculture. The state produces 80% of the world’s supply and exports the majority of its almond crop. Other top agricultural exports include dairy products, pistachios, wine and walnuts.

SCOOP: Newsom to ask world leaders to exempt California exports from retaliatory tariffs https://t.co/5hDCfKZ6na

— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) April 4, 2025

NEWSOM PLEADS FOR CALIFORNIA EXEMPTIONS AS TRUMP TARIFFS HIT GLOBAL TRADE

Newsom is urging world leaders to exclude California-made goods from retaliatory tariffs sparked by Trump’s sweeping “Liberation Day” trade policy.

Facing a potential economic blow, Newsom warns the… https://t.co/g4SBSlVcfS pic.twitter.com/bmqtyHWtPB

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 4, 2025

From the Los Angeles Times:

Stock markets worldwide careened even lower Friday after China matched Trump’s significant raise in tariffs in an escalating trade war. There were growing concerns over sharply rising prices that will hit consumer pocketbooks.

On Thursday, stocks plummeted, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq Composite all reaching their lowest one-day drops since the economy tanked at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The tariff hit some of California’s top trading partners.

The tariffs include additional duties of 24% on Japan, 25% on South Korea and a 34% tariff on China, on top of a 20% tariff that Trump imposed on that nation over illegal imports of the deadly drug fentanyl.

Canada and Mexico were excluded from both the baseline and “reciprocal” tariffs, which could ease the effect at the grocery store. Most U.S. produce imports come from Mexico and Canada, including avocados, cucumbers and mushrooms.

But the countries still face 25% levies on certain goods and 25% tariffs on imported cars and light trucks. Car buyers across South California scrambled this week to make purchases ahead of the tariffs.

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