Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday he is seeking direct trade deals with foreign governments to save the state from retaliation with President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs.
Newsom said it directed state officials to pursue independent trade ties with tariff-hit countries and urged them to exempt goods created in California from retaliation. press release. The governor pitched by appealing to the state’s economic footprint and by distancing himself from Trump’s trade policy. (Related: China will strengthen trade war in response to Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs)
“Donald Trump’s tariffs aren’t representative of all Americans, especially the Americans I represent in California, the fifth largest economic world here,” Newsmom said. “We value international trade. We value our manufacturing hubs, the largest manufacturing economy in the United States. It reminds us of all international trading partners. California is a stable trading partner.
To trading partners all over the world – California is here and ready to talk.
We don’t sit vaguely during Trump’s tariff war.
It accounts for 14% of US GDP. We are the fifth largest economy in the world.
We are not afraid to use the power of the market to fight back… pic.twitter.com/ytfbcww1so
– Gavin Newsom (@gavinnewsom) April 4, 2025
The Governor’s comments come in response to the President’s “liberation day” tariffs. The tariffs were rolled out on Wednesday as part of the administration’s latest effort to impose mutual import obligations on states that denounce unfair trade practices. The sweep package targets China, the European Union, South Korea, India and several others. Many have already threatened anti-burden on US exports.
“California is ready to speak,” Newsom wrote, characterizing tariffs as “the biggest tax rise of our life.”
Before taking office as “a very sick patient,” Trump framed tariffs and summoned the economy as a means to revive American manufacturing.
“This was a very sick patient… We’ve lost 90,000 plants since NAFTA and lost about 6 million jobs. It was a sick patient. It went through surgery on the day of release. And it will be a booming country,” the president said Thursday.
.@potus: “This is a very sick patient… I’ve lost 90,000 plants since NAFTA… and about 6 million jobs. It was a sick patient. It went through surgery on the day of release. And it will become a booming country.” pic.twitter.com/ihonz3vsqg
– Quick Response 47 (@rapidResponse47) April 3, 2025
China has announced a 34% tariff on all American goods, but Canada I responded There will be a 25% tariff on vehicles imported from the US to “develop a framework for automotive producers that encourages production and investment in Canada.”
Some unions, along with United Autoworkers president Shaun Fein, celebrated the “liberation day” tariffs, praised them, saying, “It’s a tool in the toolbox to make these companies do the right thing, and the intention behind it is to come back here.” I said Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
“But there are two parts to the tariffs… we need to amend the broken trade law. And for me the other thing is… they had to make good payments paying the union job setting the standard,” Fain continued.
Dow Jones Industrial Average I plunged in 2,200 points, or 5.5%, with the Nasdaq down 5.6%, and the S&P 500 down 5.8% on Friday. (Related: The market enters the second day after Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs send a global shockwave)
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan newswire service that is free to use for legitimate news publishers that can provide large audiences. All republished articles must include logos, reporter signatures and DCNF affiliation. For questions regarding our guidelines or partnerships with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
