California governor initiates lawsuit against Trump tariffs

On April 16, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit challenging former President Donald Trump’s recent imposition of broad tariffs on imported goods. The state contends that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to enact these tariffs—such as a 10% levy on nearly all imports and a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico—is unlawful without congressional approval, according to The Guardian.

Governor Newsom emphasized the detrimental impact of these tariffs on California’s economy, stating that they are ”wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy—driving up prices and threatening jobs.” The lawsuit seeks to have the tariffs declared void and to halt their enforcement by federal agencies, as writen in the Los Angeles Times.

California, as the nation’s largest importer and second-largest exporter, relies heavily on international trade, particularly with Mexico, Canada, and China. The state’s substantial agricultural sector, which exported nearly $24 billion in produce in 2022, is especially vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs. Farmers, especially almond growers who export 75% of their crop, face significant risks due to these trade measures, according to AP News.

This legal action marks California’s latest effort to counter federal policies perceived as overreaching, aiming to protect its economy and residents from the adverse effects of the imposed tariffs.