California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom told foreign nations Friday that representatives from the Golden State were “here and ready to talk” about “new opportunities” after President Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement Wednesday.
“I’ve directed my administration to look at new opportunities to expand trade and to remind our trading partners around the globe that California remains a stable partner,” Newsom — thought by many to be a contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination — said in a video message on X.
“California is here and ready to talk,” the 57-year-old wrote on the platform. “We will not sit idly by during Trump’s tariff war. We make up 14% of the US GDP. We’re the 5th largest economy in the world. We’re not scared to use our market power to fight back against the largest tax hike of our lifetime.”
Most of California’s imported goods come from China, which announced early Friday it planned to respond in kind to Trump’s 34% duty on products from the Asian power.
The state’s other major overseas trading partners include Mexico, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
It was not immediately clear to what “opportunities” Newsom was referring.
The Constitution expressly forbids states from enacting “Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws” without congressional permission, meaning Newsom has no authority to negate or override the tariffs imposed by Trump.
The White House hit back at Newsom Friday, arguing that the governor, who will leave office in January 2027, has other matters to focus on.
“Gavin Newsom should focus on out-of-control homelessness, crime, regulations, and unaffordability in California instead of trying his hand at international dealmaking,” spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement to The Post.
In addition to Friday’s statement on tariffs, Newsom has tried to position himself as a center-left thought leader on other matters, decrying transgender females participating in girls’ sports, calling out the Democrats for having a “toxic” brand, and challenging party members to reach out to Republican voters in order to win future elections.
