California's legal and political leaders are taking action against the tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration. Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom have filed a motion for a preliminary injunction with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking to halt these tariffs while litigation proceeds. The lawsuit, initially filed on April 16, challenges President Trump's use of power to impose tariffs without congressional approval.
According to projections, these tariffs could cost California consumers $25 billion and lead to over 64,000 job losses. The total impact of the tariff regime across the United States is estimated at around $40 billion in costs to households.
In addition to this motion, Bonta and Newsom have submitted an amicus brief in another case, Oregon v. Trump, which also challenges the legality of emergency tariffs imposed by the former president.
"Last fall, Americans at the voting booth demanded lower prices," said Attorney General Rob Bonta. "Now, Trump’s chaotic tariff war is threatening to skyrocket the cost of living for families." He emphasized that unpredictability is harmful to both businesses and California's economy.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed concern about the economic consequences: "President Trump has overstepped his authority, and now families, businesses, and our ports are literally paying the price."
The Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Cathy Rodriguez-Aguirre highlighted how small businesses are being affected: "As tariffs continue to drive up costs and disrupt supply chains... we’re doubling down on our efforts to support these businesses."
Robert Farnsworth from Sonnet Technologies described how his business is struggling due to these changes: "After 38 years in business... our ability to be cost competitive has been threatened."
Maria S. Salinas from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce urged policymakers for reconsideration: "American families and businesses are already grappling with high costs, and tariffs will only make matters worse."
The state's significant trade dependence makes it vulnerable. Many critical goods are imported through its ports, impacting state agencies' ability to procure essential supplies affordably due to increased costs or potential contract cancellations.
The broader impacts include projected losses in tax revenue totaling $7.8 billion due to reduced personal income tax and corporate revenue. The economic forecast for California reflects increased unemployment rates and inflation while downgrading expected growth in wages and jobs.
Nationally, Trump's tariff actions have led to severe financial disruptions including stock market volatility. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding these measures contributes further harm as they disrupt planning capabilities across various sectors.
A copy of the legal filing will be made available later for public access.