California is preparing to file a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump. This is a historic time because it’s the first time a state has legally contested the Trump administration’s trade policies. The complaint will be filed in the U.S. District Court for the northern district of California. Particular attention is paid to Trump’s recent invocation of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act to establish a reciprocal tariff plan.
The complaint alleges that Trump’s actions at this point are “unlawful and unprecedented.” California officials argue that these tariffs have produced unprecedented market havoc, disrupting vital friendships with international allies and trading partners. California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed the upcoming lawsuit on social media platform X, declaring, “We’re suing his ass.”
The lawsuit aims to have Trump’s tariffs declared void, emphasizing the immediate and irreparable harm posed to California’s economy. As the largest economy in the United States, California is not only an economic leader but a manufacturing and agricultural powerhouse. Governor Newsom highlighted this point, asserting that “Donald Trump does not have the authority to unilaterally impose the largest tax hike of our lifetime with his destructive tariffs.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined that lawsuit, and at the time condemned Trump’s tariff war as “disorderly” and “unlawful.” He stated, “The President’s chaotic and haphazard implementation of tariffs is not only deeply troubling, it’s illegal.” Bonta emphasized the significance of California’s economic position, noting, “As the fifth largest economy in the world, California understands global trade policy is not just a game.”
The announcement of the lawsuit will take place during a press conference led by Newsom and Bonta at 1:30 p.m. ET. We expect this event to give us a clear picture of the novel legal arguments and implications of the suit against our federal government.
California’s lawsuit is indicative of increasing friction between state administrations and federal leaders on issues of trade. With every other state looking on intently, this lawsuit could serve as a guidepost for any future legal challenges to unconstitutional federal tariff regulations.