While we may not yet be on the brink of an “Independent Republic of California,” the wealthiest and most populous state in the U.S. has also become the first to challenge Donald Trump over tariffs.
On Wednesday, California filed a lawsuit seeking to block President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on foreign trade partners, accusing him of abusing his power and causing financial harm to the state and the nation.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District, arguing that the President does not have the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs.
According to La Repubblica, they requested the court to immediately block these tariffs, arguing that they are causing significant and irreparable damage.
This represents a direct challenge to Trump’s entire tariff strategy, and if the lawsuit succeeds, it would halt the implementation of these tariffs nationwide. Consequently, other states affected by these measures would benefit as well.
California, a powerful liberal state alongside New York, is at the center of this battle, and Governor Newsom has not hidden his ambition to run for president in 2028.
“Donald Trump — the governor wrote on platform X — does not have the authority to unilaterally impose the largest tax hike of our time with his destructive tariffs. We will take him to court.” He further added: “The President’s illegal tariffs are causing chaos for families, businesses, and our California economy, raising prices and jeopardizing jobs. We are defending American families who can’t afford this chaos.”
Attorney General Bonta explained the action with these words: “The chaotic and arbitrary implementation of tariffs by the President is not only concerning but also illegal. As the fifth-largest economy in the world, California understands that global trade policy is not a game.”
The lawsuit argues that Trump cannot use the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs, claiming that fentanyl trafficking from China or the trade deficit do not constitute a national security threat. According to the Constitution, it is Congress, not the President, who has the authority to impose tariffs, and the law mentioned by the White House does not include tariffs as an emergency measure the President can take. Therefore, this practice is considered illegal and must be stopped immediately due to the damage it has already caused.
For its part, the White House responded through spokesperson Kush Desai: “Instead of addressing rising crime, homelessness, and economic difficulties in California, Gavin Newsom is wasting time trying to block President Trump’s historic efforts to address the national emergency posed by the trade deficit. Our administration remains committed to protecting American industries and workers, with every tool at our disposal — from tariffs to negotiations.”
California, if it were an independent country, would be part of the G7. This underscores its vital role in the U.S. economy — from Silicon Valley and wineries to agriculture, defense, and aerospace industries. Although Elon Musk has relocated some Tesla factories to Texas for political reasons, he has been forced to keep research centers in California. Since the “Summer of Love” and the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood in San Francisco, California has always been at the forefront of liberalism — alongside New York and Massachusetts — and is one of the states most affected by climate change. For this reason, the cultural and political divide with Trump and his voter base is deeper.
Practically speaking, Mexico, Canada, and China are California’s three main trading partners. Just last year, the state exported goods worth $183 billion and imported $491 billion. Compared to this, even Italy seems small. The new tariffs are severely damaging the local economy, making it harder for Los Angeles to recover from the January fires that destroyed entire areas like Pacific Palisades and Altadena, with costs reaching at least $2 billion. Additionally, significant damage has occurred in important sectors such as tourism.
In recent months, Newsom has tried to reposition himself politically with some more moderate decisions, such as supporting transgender participation in women’s sports and even engaging in dialogue with former Trump advisor Steve Bannon.
He believes this may make him more acceptable in the 2028 presidential elections. However, regarding tariffs, he has chosen not to back down — not only because of the harm being caused to California and the entire country but also because he sees them as an economic mistake that could seriously damage Trump with voters.
For this reason, California has positioned itself as the flagbearer of resistance.
