CurrentReport Blog California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that the state is prepared to file a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump over sweeping tariffs imposed on imports from countries including China, Mexico, and Canada.
In a strongly worded briefing, Governor Newsom warned that the tariffs pose a serious economic threat to California, stating, “No other state will be more impacted by the impacts of this.” The Democratic governor emphasized that the tariffs are expected to raise costs for businesses and consumers while potentially costing the state billions of dollars.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta echoed the concerns, noting that vendors have already indicated they plan to pass the increased costs directly to the state. “We’re asking the court to rein in the president,” Bonta said, confirming that this will be the 14th lawsuit filed by California against the Trump administration in recent weeks.
The state’s legal challenge targets the enforcement of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — a law originally intended to address genuine national security threats. California contends that Trump misused the act by bypassing Congress to implement tariffs that are now straining the state’s economy.
Governor Newsom’s office confirmed that the lawsuit will be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, aiming to curb what it calls executive overreach and protect California’s economic stability.
The case could set a critical precedent on presidential authority over trade and the limits of emergency economic powers.
