“Stay a reliable partner”
US state faces Trump-and calls for exception to tariffs
04.04.2025 – 8:20 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.

California opposes Trump’s punitive tariffs and strives for his own trade relationships. The governor promotes international support.
California has faced the punitive tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump and demands exceptions to products from the state. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California would be increasingly looking for international trade relationships to cushion the consequences of the “Liberation Day” tariffs called by Trump. He explicitly called on to remove California of possible counter -tariffs from other countries.
In an official message, Newsoma California described as a “dominant manufacturing region” of the USA and said: “California is not Washington DC” The Trump-Zölle are a direct attack on California’s economy, especially on producers, farmers and small export companies. Possible counter -tariffs are particularly hard the California almond industry, which represents around 80 percent of global production.
According to Trump, the new US tariffs, which are at a flat rate of ten percent and are significantly higher in individual cases, should serve America’s economic independence. However, Newsom’s government fears serious effects on supply chains, jobs and the supply of important building materials – for example for the reconstruction according to the forest fires in Los Angeles. For example, wood from Canada is affected by rapidly increasing import taxes.
The democratic governor announced that his administration would be actively looking for strategic trading partnerships to ensure the economic resilience of the state. These initiatives are also intended to consolidate the international position of California, which is considered the fifth largest economy in the world with a gross domestic product of 3.9 trillion dollars. California is the largest importer and second largest exporter among the US states.
Newsom explained that, despite the trade strategy from Washington, California would remain a “reliable and stable partner”. One wants to continue to rely on mutual respect and economic cooperation.
Criticism immediately came from the White House. A spokesman said that Newsom wanted to distract from California problems such as homelessness, crime and high living costs. In addition, the responsibility for international trade agreements is at the US Congress and not with the states.