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SACRAMENTO, CALIF. \u2014 California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, challenging the president\u2019s authority to impose sweeping tariffs that have set off a global trade war.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit argues that President Donald Trump\u2019s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China or a 10 per cent tariff on all imports is unlawful. The act enables a president to freeze and block transactions in response to foreign threats but doesn\u2019t allow the president to adopt tariffs, the suit argues.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, also argues that enacting such tariffs requires approval from Congress.<\/p>\n
Trump has offered many justifications for increasing tariffs, including that they are designed to spur U.S. manufacturing and stop the flow of illicit fentanyl into the country. California\u2019s move follows rapidly changing tariff plans by the Trump administration.<\/p>\n
A White House official slammed the lawsuit and defended the tariffs plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of focusing on California\u2019s rampant crime, homelessness, and unaffordability, Gavin Newsom is spending his time trying to block President Trump\u2019s historic efforts to finally address the national emergency of our country\u2019s persistent goods trade deficits,\u201d White House spokesperson Kush Desai said. \u201cThe entire Trump administration remains committed to addressing this national emergency that\u2019s decimating America\u2019s industries and leaving our workers behind with every tool at our disposal, from tariffs to negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Newsom, a Democrat, said the tariffs have essentially resulted in inflated costs and could bring billions of dollars in damage to California, which has the largest economy among U.S. states and is a massive exporter. The additional costs from tariffs could also hamstring the state\u2019s ability to plan for the future and pay for services, the suit argues.<\/p>\n
\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy \u2014 driving up prices and threatening jobs,\u201d Newsom said in a statement. \u201cWe\u2019re standing up for American families who can\u2019t afford to let the chaos continue.\u201d<\/p>\n
California has filed more than a dozen lawsuits challenging Trump\u2019s policies this year. But the tariffs lawsuit marks the first time this year that Newsom, who is already considered a top 2028 presidential prospect, has been a plaintiff. The Democratic governor scaled back his anti-Trump rhetoric after January\u2019s deadly Los Angeles fires as the state sought federal support.<\/p>\n
Newsom discussed the lawsuit at an orchard in the farm-rich Central Valley, highlighting California\u2019s status as a farming powerhouse, with many of the nuts, fruits and vegetables grown in the state destined for other countries.<\/p>\n
The state will ask the court to immediately block the tariffs.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes days after Newsom asked countries to exempt California exports from retaliatory tariffs. No deals have yet been announced. He also launched a tourism campaign to entice Canadian visitors to California this week.<\/p>\n
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n