Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) urged world leaders to exempt California from expected retaliatory tariffs as the United States faces a global trade war following President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff announcement.
California makes up 14% of the U.S.'s GDP and, by itself, would be the world's fifth-largest economy. Newsom is looking to leverage that to expand trade with foreign partners.
"Donald Trump's tariffs do not represent all Americans," Newsom said in a video on X, adding that he spoke for 40 million U.S. citizens and the "tent pole of the U.S. economy."
"Our state of mind is around supporting stable trading relationships around the globe, and that's why today, 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.
Newsom didn't specify what "new opportunities" were being explored, but any trade negotiations as a state with a foreign power would quickly run into legal challenges. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution grants the federal government sole authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations.
On Wednesday, Trump unveiled his much-awaited "Liberation Day" tariffs, hitting nearly all countries with a baseline 10% tariff and higher rates for other countries he accused of unfair trade practices. China, a key importer of Californian agricultural goods, was hit with one of the highest rates.
California produces 80% of the world's almond supply. Retaliatory tariffs could impose a heavy cost on the state's $23.6 billion in agricultural exports.
The White House waved off Newsom's concerns.
"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 spokesman Kush Desai told Fox News Digital on Friday.
Trump and Newsom enjoyed an unusually warm relationship during the president's first term, but the relationship soured during the 2024 election cycle. Trump has routinely referred to the California governor as "Newscum."
US SHRIMP INDUSTRY HAILS ‘LIBERATION DAY’ TARIFFS AS SAVING DOMESTIC SHRIMPERS
Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs in a Rose Garden speech attended by autoworkers, Cabinet members, and members of Congress. In his remarks, while holding a chart showing different tariff rates, he accused foreign countries of taking advantage of the U.S. through unfair trade policies. He said April 2 marked the U.S.’s “declaration of economic independence.”
The president imposed a 10% tariff on more than 180 countries and additional tariffs on 57 others. China faces a 34% tariff on top of a previous 20%, bringing its total to 54%. Cambodia, 49%, Laos, 48%, and Vietnam, 46%, were among the hardest hit by "discounted" reciprocal tariffs. The United Kingdom and Australia received the minimum 10% tariff.