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Governors

California Stands Up Against Trump's Illegal Tariffs

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the largest economy in the nation and the fourth-largest in the world, California is disproportionately affected by President Trump's illegal tariffs. Since February 2025, President Trump has imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 145% on nearly every trading partner of the United States, threatening to devastate California's economy and depriving it of $25 billion and more than 64,000 jobs. The California government has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down these tariffs, citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as the basis for their argument.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration has imposed tariffs without permission from Congress, citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as justification.
  • The tariffs have had a devastating impact on California's economy, with an estimated $25 billion and 64,000 jobs at risk.
  • No President has ever before invoked IEEPA to impose tariffs, as the statute does not reference the power to tax or tariff.
  • President Trump has imposed tariffs on nearly every trading partner of the United States, ranging from 10% to 145%.
  • California's case has been held in abeyance by the Ninth Circuit pending the Supreme Court's resolution of these cases.
  • Other states and entities nationwide have filed lawsuits challenging President Trump's illegal imposition of tariffs.
  • The case, Learning Resources v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections, is scheduled for oral argument before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
  • Attorney General Rob Bonta has stated that any attempt by the Trump Administration to interpret IEEPA as giving it the power to impose tariffs is a feat of mental gymnastics.

Statistics:

  • $25 billion: estimated loss to California's economy due to Trump's illegal tariffs.
  • 64,000: estimated number of jobs at risk due to Trump's illegal tariffs.
  • 10%: lowest tariff rate imposed by President Trump.
  • 145%: highest tariff rate imposed by President Trump.
  • 1977: year the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was enacted.
  • 2 + 2 = 4: basic arithmetic used by Attorney General Rob Bonta to emphasize the point that Congress did not intend to grant the President extraordinary authority to impose tariffs.

Sources:

  • The office of the Governor of California
  • The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)

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