Newsom asks other countries to spare California as they retaliate against Trump tariffs

WASHINGTON — Gov. Gavin Newsom called for other countries to exempt California’s exports from retaliatory tariffs placed on U.S. goods in response to President Donald Trump’s widespread measures.

“Donald Trump’s tariffs do not represent all Americans, particularly those that I represent here in the fifth largest economy in the world,” Newsom said in a video posted to X Friday. “We value international trade, we value our manufacturing base – the largest manufacturing economy in the United States of America. We look forward to continuing to strengthen those ties, strengthen those bonds.”

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Newsom’s plan, first reported by Fox News, directs California officials to find ways to collaborate with trading partners in order to protect the state’s economic interests and provide stability for California businesses and workers facing economic uncertainty from the tariffs.

Nearly 16% of California’s GDP in 2024 — $675 billion — came from the trade of physical goods, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Goods including computer equipment, semiconductors, instruments and aerospace products made up 87% of California’s exports, with 8% of the state’s exports coming from agricultural products such as nuts, fruits and vegetables. California exports 37% of its goods to Canada, Mexico and China and imports 41% from those countries.

PAYWALL: https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/california-newsom-tariffs-exemption-trump-20258761.php