California Gov. Gavin Newsom pleaded with foreign countries Friday to exempt California from any retaliatory tariffs they slap on U.S. goods, saying his state’s businesses shouldn’t suffer for President Trump’s policies.
Mr. Newsom said his state will try to strengthen its independent trading relations with other countries to try to blunt the effects of Mr. Trump slapping a minimum 10% tariff on most imports, plus higher reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries the president believes have unfair trading barriers.
“Donald Trump’s tariffs do not represent all Americans, particularly those that I represent,” Mr. Newsom said.
The Democrat called his state “a stable trading partner” and asked other nations to “consider that as it relates to California-made products.”
China has already announced a 34% retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods, matching Mr. Trump’s rate. The European Union is working on its response.
Mr. Newsom said California amounts to the world’s fifth-largest economy with major agriculture and tech interests. Its businesses trade heavily with Mexico, Canada and China, which accounted for $203 billion in imports to the state in 2024.
He said tariffs could also hinder the state’s effort to rebuild parts of the Los Angeles area after wildfires last year, with costs on wood, steel and aluminum and drywall components likely to rise.
Mr. Newsom said he’s ordered his administration to reach out to other countries and see if there are ways to “protect California’s economic interests.”
That includes looking to secure access to the materials for Los Angeles reconstruction and making backstop plans for businesses affected by what the governor termed “federal trade disruptions.”
