LOS ANGELES — California launched a legal battle on Wednesday against the federal government over Donald Trump’s revived tariff policies. Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit, saying Trump lacks the legal authority to impose such levies.
“This is the worst own-goal in U.S. history,” said Newsom. “A self-destructive move that hurts our people and economy.”
The lawsuit challenges the tariffs Trump imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). California argues the law does not give the president power to tax imports.
Bonta said the goal is to “rein in the president” and protect the Constitution. “The president is not above the law,” he said. “Only Congress can impose tariffs. Trump must be stopped.”
Billions at Stake for California
With a population of 40 million and 14% of the nation’s GDP, California stands to lose billions in revenue if tariffs continue to disrupt global trade.
“If California were a country, it would rank as the world’s fifth-largest economy,” said Newsom’s office. “We can’t sit by as reckless federal policy threatens our growth.”
Trump’s Tariff Legacy
Trump has long favored tariffs as a weapon in trade wars, promising during his campaigns to impose strict levies on imports. He first targeted Mexico and Canada, then expanded the scope globally.
He called it “Liberation Day”, slapping new charges on allies and competitors alike. Tariffs reached up to 145% in some cases.
Though some of these duties were paused, market chaos followed. Trillions of dollars in value evaporated as global stocks plunged.
Read: China Slams US Over Tariff Hike, Warns of Retaliation
Newsom Slams ‘Crony Capitalism’
Newsom didn’t hold back in criticizing the Trump-era trade policies.
“This is crony capitalism at its worst,” he said. “Everyday Americans are paying the price, while billionaires get richer.”
He also accused Trump of corruption and called out the lack of accountability. “How are we allowing this to happen?” he asked. “This is not leadership, it’s chaos.”
Newsom, widely seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, framed the lawsuit as a fight for economic stability and democratic values.
Legal Argument – No Presidential Power
The suit focuses on the limits of IEEPA, arguing Trump’s use of it to impose tariffs violates the Constitution.
“We’re asking the court to block this abuse of power,” Bonta said. “The Constitution is clear. Congress holds the power over trade, not the president.”
California has filed more than a dozen lawsuits against Trump policies in recent years. This latest legal challenge could have major implications for future presidential authority over trade.
A Trump campaign spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit as political theater.
“Instead of fixing California’s crime and homelessness, Newsom is wasting time opposing Trump’s efforts to tackle the U.S. trade deficit,” the spokesman said.
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