Applaud California’s Bold Lawsuit Against Trump’s Tariffs

We applaud California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta for taking a bold stand against President Donald Trump’s sweeping and unlawful tariffs by filing the first state-led lawsuit challenging his use of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act.

These tariffs threaten to devastate California’s economy — especially its farmers, exporters, and small businesses — by unjustly targeting international trade relationships that have long been vital to the state’s prosperity. With nearly half of the state’s almond, pistachio, and dairy exports hanging in the balance, California is right to defend its people and its economy from a federal overreach cloaked in manufactured national emergency claims.

Governor Newsom is showing leadership in protecting California’s role in the global marketplace, and Attorney General Bonta is carrying forward the state’s proud tradition of standing up for legal accountability and economic justice. Together, they are reaffirming a critical constitutional truth: the power to impose tariffs belongs to Congress — not the president acting unilaterally.

This lawsuit sends a powerful message that states will not sit idly by while executive overreach endangers livelihoods. We thank California for defending democratic checks and balances, the rule of law, and the hardworking people who grow, build, and export across the globe.

We proudly stand with Governor Newsom, Attorney General Bonta, and the people of California in their fight to protect fair trade, lawful governance, and economic freedom.