June 28, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Newsom, Bonta Seek Court Ruling to Void Trump’s Tariffs and Economic Crisis

Economic Fallout Prompts California Lawsuit Against Trump’s Tariffs

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging former President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs on international trade, claiming the measures violate federal law and have caused widespread damage to the state’s economy.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeks to block implementation of the tariffs and declare them unlawful. The lawsuit argues that Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a statute passed by Congress in 1977 that does not explicitly permit the use of tariffs.

“President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy, driving up prices and threatening jobs,” Newsom said in a statement. “We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue.”

Bonta echoed the sentiment, calling the tariffs a reckless overstep that violates the Constitution.

“The President’s chaotic and haphazard implementation of tariffs is not only deeply troubling, it’s illegal,” Bonta said. “California understands that global trade policy isn’t a game. This lawsuit is about protecting our economy, our communities, and our future.”

At issue are tariffs the Trump administration imposed through the IEEPA on goods from Mexico, China, and Canada. California officials argue that the IEEPA was never intended to give the president tariff authority, and the economic fallout from the decision has been severe. The state has reportedly suffered billions of dollars in losses due to inflated prices and disrupted supply chains.

The state’s legal argument also relies on the U.S. Supreme Court’s “major questions doctrine,” which requires that executive actions with significant national economic implications receive explicit congressional authorization. The lawsuit points to recent rulings in which the Court struck down federal initiatives that lacked such authorization.

California, which had a gross domestic product of $3.9 trillion in 2023, making it the world’s fifth-largest economy, argues that it is especially vulnerable to the effects of tariffs. The state’s economy is closely tied to international trade, particularly with Mexico, Canada, and China, which collectively account for more than 40% of California’s imports and a third of its exports.

In 2024, California engaged in approximately $675 billion in two-way trade. Officials say small business exporters, manufacturers, and farmers have borne the brunt of increased costs resulting from the tariffs.

More than 60,000 small businesses in California export goods, and the state leads the nation in both manufacturing output and agricultural production. The lawsuit warns that additional trade disruptions could harm millions of workers, derail supply chains, and further strain California’s economic ties abroad.

In response to the tariffs, Newsom’s administration has also pursued strategic trade partnerships and launched international campaigns to bolster California’s tourism and export sectors, including initiatives focused on maintaining strong ties with Canada.

The federal government has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

in NEWS
Related Posts

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...

Demolition Underway at Beverly Grove Squatter Site After Mystery Fire Renews Safety Fears

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Crews Begin Tearing Down Long-Vacant Apartments on First and Flores  Demolition has begun at a group of long-abandoned apartment buildings...

Indian Court Affirms Legal Protections for Transgender Women in Marriages

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Andhra Pradesh High Court Rejected Reproductive Ability Arguments  The Andhra Pradesh High Court has upheld the right of a transgender...

San Francisco Bookstore Drops J.K. Rowling Titles Over Trans Rights Controversy

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Booksmith Cites Author’s Advocacy Against Transgender Inclusion as Reason San Francisco’s Booksmith bookstore has removed all works by J.K. Rowling,...

Captain America Hits the Skirball Big Screen for Heroic Outdoor Movie Night

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Museum-Goers Can Also Catch a Superhero-Themed Drawing Session The Skirball Cultural Center will host an outdoor screening of Captain America:...

(Video) Welcome to the Urban Jungle — where nature meets the city and style meets soul

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Whether you’re chasing that gritty city energy or carving out a green oasis in your space, we’re here to help...

Santa Monica Police Arrest Shooting Suspect After Officer Ambushed Near Downtown Mall

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Man Linked to Waymo Vehicle Gunfire Taken Into Custody Following Tense Manhunt The suspect wanted in connection with a shooting...

Brentwood Weekend Specials: $9 Wine & Street Tacos, Blush-Inspired Lattes & Beauty Swag

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Street Tacos and Wine Meets Self-Care in Brentwood and Santa Monica Brentwood Fine Wines will welcome back local culinary favorite...

Michelin Stars Shine Bright on LA: Somni West Hollywood and Providence Earn Top Honors

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Two Restaurants in Los Angeles Receive Three Stars as Michelin Guide Celebrates Bold Flavors The MICHELIN Guide California 2025 celebrated...

Cherished Culver City Ice Cream Vendor Abducted in Broad Daylight

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano’s Disappearance Led To Grassroots Action Ambrocio Lozano, also known in the neighborhood as Enrique, was abducted around...

Los Angeles County Honors LGBTQ+ Trailblazers in Annual Pride Celebration

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Supervisor Solis Leads Recognition of Five Local Leaders and Organizations Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor...

Masked Federal Agents Detain Iranian Asylum Seeker and Wife in Westwood

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

31-Year-Old Woman was Hospitalized After Possible Medical Emergency On Tuesday, June 24, between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., near the...

Culver City Pride Rolls In with Sunset Ride and Rally June 28

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Celebrate With a 6-Mile Pride Ride and Free Block Party Culver City will mark its fifth annual Pride celebration on...

Los Angeles Leaders Push to Ban Masks for Federal Agents Amid Immigration Raids

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Concerns Grow Over Anonymous ICE and CBP Officers in Los Angeles   A growing coalition of California lawmakers and local leaders...

From Westwood to DTLA, Angelenos March Against Military Escalation in Iran

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Protestors Rally at the Westwood Federal Building This Weekend Following President Donald Trump’s authorization of airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear-related...