Newsom Says California to Seek Tariff Exemptions From Allies

The governor’s office didn’t elaborate when asked about specific outreach efforts or policies being considered. While it’s true that states can’t forge binding international agreements, they can still pursue informal collaborations and promote exports through initiatives like state-led trade missions.

On his podcast, This is Gavin Newsom, released recently, he shared that foreign leaders had reached out prior to Trump’s tariff announcement expressing their concerns at a sub-national level.

“Leaders from other nations have contacted us directly regarding their worries amid this uncertainty,” he told guest Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as Trump’s communications director in 2017.

A democrat eyeing a potential presidential run in 2028, Newsom highlighted California’s economic clout—accounting for around 14% of the national GDP and boasting a population of approximately 40 million—as key assets in navigating these turbulent waters.

this economic heft also makes California susceptible to disruptions in global trade dynamics. For instance, china recently declared it would impose a hefty 34% tariff on all U.S.imports starting April 10—a direct response mirroring Trump’s proposed tariffs. Canada also announced plans to tax U.S.-made vehicles following Trump’s new tariffs targeting foreign cars.

The Golden State plays an essential role in agriculture and manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors and automotive production—areas currently under scrutiny due to ongoing trade tensions.

In fact, California exported $24 billion worth of agricultural products last year alone—nearly one-seventh of total U.S. farm exports—with almonds leading at $4.7 billion followed by dairy products and wine among others; major buyers include Canada and China.

Richard Kreps from the American Pistachio Growers expressed skepticism about Newsom’s recent initiatives: “It sounds good until there are tangible results,” he remarked while noting two distinct mindsets within agriculture: those panicking over potential fallout versus those who feel they have time before harvest season kicks off later this year.

the governor also referenced rising rebuilding costs after January wildfires near Los Angeles alongside concerns over possible disruptions along the California-baja border region where many manufacturers rely heavily on cross-border supply chains—components ofen crisscrossing back-and-forth multiple times before reaching completion!