California governor pushes for exemptions from foreign counter-tariffs as businesses brace for global economic ripples.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling on international trade partners to exempt his state from counter-tariffs in response to President Donald Trump’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariff program, urging them to consider California’s unique economic role separate from federal trade policies.
In a statement Friday, Newsom directed state officials to explore independent trade relationships with affected nations, emphasizing California’s global manufacturing capacity and economic stability.
“Donald Trump’s tariffs do not represent all Americans, particularly those that I represent here in the fifth-largest economy world: the state of California,” Newsom said. “We value international trade. We value our manufacturing base — the largest manufacturing economy in the United States of America … I remind all of our international trading partners: California is stable trading partner, and we hope you consider that as it relates to California-made products.”
Newsom’s comments follow the rollout of President Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy earlier this week, which targets nations the administration accuses of unfair trade practices — including China, India, South Korea, and the European Union. The move, announced as part of a broader economic initiative dubbed “Liberation Day,” imposes some of the highest trade barriers in over a century.
President Trump defended the measures Thursday, saying they represent a critical intervention for American industry. “This was a patient that was very sick … We’ve lost 90,000 plants since NAFTA, and about 6 million jobs. It was a sick patient. It went through an operation on Liberation Day. And it’s going to be a booming country,” the president said.
Following the U.S. announcement, China imposed a 34% tariff on all American exports, and Canada retaliated with a 25% tax on U.S. vehicle imports. These countermeasures have sparked fears of broader economic disruptions.
Unions have offered mixed responses. United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain supported the new tariffs during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” describing them as “a tool in the toolbox to get these companies to do the right thing.” However, he emphasized that trade reform should also ensure union jobs. “They got to be good paying union jobs that set standards,” Fain added.
Wall Street reacted swiftly to the developments. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged by 2,200 points — or 5.5% — while the Nasdaq dropped 5.6% and the S&P 500 fell 5.8% by market close on Friday, marking one of the sharpest single-day declines in recent years.
Newsom’s administration framed the governor’s appeal as a pragmatic economic maneuver, arguing that California’s innovation and export volume warrant distinct consideration on the global stage.
“California is ready to talk,” Newsom wrote, labeling the federal tariffs “the largest tax hike in our lifetime.” His office said outreach to trade partners would continue next week.
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