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Governors

California Stands Up Against Trump's Illegal Tariffs

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the largest economy in the nation, California's economy, which is the fourth-largest economy in the world, faces devastation due to President Trump's unprecedented and chaotic series of executive orders imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 145% on nearly every trading partner of the United States. Since February 2025, these tariffs have threatened to deprive California of $25 billion and more than 64,000 jobs, and impose uncertainty and shockwaves through the economy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court, opposing President Trump's illegal tariffs and his fake emergency to justify them.
  • The brief argues that President Trump does not have the authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as it does not reference the power to tax or tariff.
  • The tariffs imposed by President Trump have hurt families, farmers, and businesses by creating mass uncertainty and sending shockwaves through the economy, and have led to the potential loss of 64,000 jobs and $25 billion in revenue for California.
  • President Trump's tariffs have also led to the sending of $20 billion in taxpayer money to Argentina and have had a devastating impact on American families and small businesses.
  • The California case has been held in abeyance by the Ninth Circuit pending the Supreme Court's resolution of the cases.
  • Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta have also filed amicus briefs in the Court of International Trade in Oregon v. Trump and in the D.C. Circuit in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, cases challenging President Trump's illegal imposition of tariffs.
  • Other states and entities nationwide have filed lawsuits of their own, challenging President Trump's authority to impose tariffs.

Statistics:

  • Since February 2025, President Trump has imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 145% on nearly every trading partner of the United States.
  • The tariffs imposed by President Trump have the potential to deprive California of $25 billion and more than 64,000 jobs.
  • The tariffs have created mass uncertainty and sent shockwaves through the economy, harming families, farmers, and businesses.
  • President Trump's tariffs have led to the sending of $20 billion in taxpayer money to Argentina.

Sources:

  • US State of California
  • [1] "California Confronts Trump's Tariffs: GPE Asks Court to Strike Down Trump Tariffs", US State of California (2025).
  • [2] "Reagan's Tariff Warning Ignored", Ronald Reagan.
  • "California Files Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Case on Trump's Tariffs", US State of California (2025).
  • "California and Other States File Lawsuits Against Trump's Tariffs", US State of California (2025).

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