California is taking legal action over Trump’s sweeping tariffs, Newsom announces
Newsom, Bonta announce lawsuit over Trump's tariffs
On Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and State AG announced a lawsuit over Trump's sweeping tariffs.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California is taking legal action over President Donald J. Trump's tariffs.
What we know:
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California is challenging President Trump’s authority to impose sweeping tariffs that have set off a global trade war.
The suit argues that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China or a 10% tariff on all imports is unlawful. The act enables a president to freeze and block transactions in response to foreign threats.
The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, will also argue that enacting such tariffs requires approval from Congress, Newsom’s office said in a news release.
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’s move follows rapidly changing tariff plans by the Trump administration.
California sues Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs
Gov. Newsom sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, challenging the president’s authority to impose sweeping tariffs that have set off a global trade war.
Newsom says the tariffs in effect have resulted in inflated costs and billions of dollars in damage in California, which has the largest economy among U.S. states and is a massive exporter.
SUGGESTED COVERAGE:
- California taking legal action against Trump’s sweeping tariffs
- Chinese TikTok users advising shoppers to buy direct amid Trump tariffs
- American consumers see tariff surcharges on their receipts amid trade war
"President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy — driving up prices and threatening jobs," he said in a statement. "We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue."
Newsom will discuss the lawsuit alongside California Attorney General Rob Bonta later Wednesday in the farm-rich Central Valley. California is a farming powerhouse, with many of the nuts, fruits and vegetables the state grows destined for other countries.
The state will ask the court to immediately block the tariffs.
The announcement comes days after Newsom asked countries to exempt California exports from retaliatory tariffs. . No deals have yet been announced.
The Source: Information from the Associated Press.