The lawsuit will argue that Trump imposed tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or 10% tariffs on all imports. The bill allows the president to freeze and block transactions in response to foreign threats.
Newsom’s office said in a press release that the lawsuit will be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and will also argue that enacting such tariffs requires Congressional approval.
Trump has provided many reasons for increasing tariffs, including aimed at stimulating U.S. manufacturing and preventing illegal fentanyl from entering the country. California’s move follows the Trump administration’s rapid change in tariff plans.
The actual tariffs result in cost and billions of dollars in California, the largest economy in the U.S. state and a large number of exporters, Newsom said.
“President Trump’s illegal tariffs are causing chaos on California families, businesses and our economy – raising prices and threatening jobs,” he said in a statement. “We support American families who can’t keep the chaos going.” Newsom will discuss the lawsuit with California Attorney General Rob Bonta later Wednesday in the farm’s affluent Central Valley. California is an agricultural powerhouse with many nuts, fruits and vegetables in other countries. The state will ask the court to immediately block the tariffs.
The announcement comes days after Newsom asked countries to exempt them from retaliatory tariffs. The deal has not been announced.
