Governor Gavin Newsom of CA
California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging sweeping tariffs imposed without congressional approval. The state says the tariffs threaten businesses, jobs, and trade.
SACRAMENTO, CA – California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging what they call an unconstitutional and destabilizing imposition of sweeping new tariffs.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues that the administration overstepped its legal authority by imposing these tariffs without congressional approval.
The Trump administration’s directive—enforced through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—imposes a 10% tariff on all imports and punitive rates as high as 145% on select goods from countries including China.
The White House claims authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), but California leaders argue that trade policy falls squarely under Congress’s jurisdiction.
“Trump is acting like he’s above the law—he isn’t,” Attorney General Bonta said in a statement. “These unlawful tariffs put California’s workers, small businesses, and families at risk. Trade policy is no place for political games.”
Economic Fallout for California
As the fifth-largest economy in the world, California plays an outsized role in global commerce. It is the largest importer and the second-largest exporter among U.S. states, with ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and San Diego serving as major hubs for international trade.
State officials warn that the new tariffs could result in:
- Increased costs for goods across industries;
- Disrupted supply chains;
- Retaliatory tariffs from trading partners;
- Layoffs in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, shipping, and retail.
California’s agriculture industry is particularly vulnerable. Products such as almonds, pistachios, citrus, and dairy—which rely heavily on international exports—are already seeing rising tensions from global buyers bracing for retaliatory duties.
“California’s economy cannot be treated as collateral damage in a political power play,” Governor Newsom stated. “We will not allow unlawful executive overreach to jeopardize jobs, businesses, and livelihoods across our state.”
Legal Arguments
The lawsuit contends that:
- The IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose broad, peacetime tariffs;
- The tariffs were implemented without proper notice, comment, or economic impact analysis;
- The executive action violates the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution;
- The administration failed to justify a national emergency under the legal definition required to invoke IEEPA.
California is seeking a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of the tariffs while the case proceeds, with the potential for broader multistate support expected in the coming weeks.
Fourteenth Legal Challenge Against Trump in 2025
This marks the 14th lawsuit California has filed against the Trump administration since the president returned to office in January 2025. Other recent legal battles have challenged executive orders targeting federal agencies, voting rights, immigration, and public health funding.
“We’re going to the mat with everything we’ve got to defend California’s economy and the rule of law,” Bonta added.
The legal action reinforces California’s role as a frontline defender of constitutional limits on executive authority—especially where the economic stakes are high.
