ICYMI: Governor Newsom reassures international partners that Trump’s tariffs don’t represent California
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom kicked off #WorldTradeMonth with a round of key international interviews with journalists from major broadcast networks in Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. In the interviews, Governor Newsom addressed the Trump Slump’s impact on the state’s economy and assured international partners that the harmful tariff policies from Washington, DC, are not reflective of the views of California.
United Kingdom
Interview with BBC
Speaking with Paddy O’Connell for BBC Newsnight, Governor Newsom said,
“The impacts of these tariffs – the recklessness of these tariffs – are disproportionately felt on the tentpole of the U.S. economy. We’re 14% of the U.S. economy, so the success of this country is, in many respects, determined by the success of this state.”
Facts:
- British-owned companies employ more than 130,600 jobs in California
- California exported $5 billion in goods to the United Kingdom in 2024 – making it the state’s 12th largest export market
- Tourism from the United Kingdom to California was down 22% in March 2025 from the same time last year
Canada
Interview with CTV
Speaking with Vassy Kapelos, Governor Newsom said,
“Forget Trump’s golden age of success. From our ports to our shopping carts to vacation hotspots, the Trump Slump has already begun. American families shouldn’t have to pay for this administration’s chaotic policies.”
Facts:
- Canada is California’s fourth largest source of foreign investment
- California exported $18.4 billion and imported $16.3 billion in goods from Canada in 2024
- Canadian tourism to California declined 16% in March 2025 compared to March 2024
Japan
Interview with Nikkei
Speaking with TV Tokyo’s Yifan Yu, Governor Newsom said,
“California is a stable trading partner. When it comes to trade, we come with an open hand, not a clenched fist.”
Facts:
- Japan is California’s second largest source of foreign investment
- Japan is California’s sixth largest partner in the world for two-way trade
- California imported $27.7 billion and exported $10.9 billion in goods to Japan in 2024
Mexico
Interview with TV Azteca
In an interview with TV Azteca’s Lucy Bravo, Governor Newsom said,
“California is now the fourth largest economy in the world. No state has been more affected by these tariffs than California. The effects are being felt in real time. We are seeing reductions in cargo at our entry ports.”
Facts:
- Mexico is California’s 13th-largest source of foreign investment.
- Mexico is California’s top export market, with the state exporting $33.5 billion in 2024.
- Mexico is California’s second largest import market, with the state importing $64.3 billion in goods in 2024.
South Korea
Interview with MBC News Desk
Speaking with Yoonsoo Park of MBC News Desk, Governor Newsom said,
“Partnerships, both personally and professionally, are critical to the world we want to build. Your success is our success. This is not a zero-sum game.”
Facts:
- Korean-owned companies in California support nearly 19,000 jobs
- South Korea is California’s fifth largest partner globally in two-way trade
California exported $8.8 billion worth of goods to South Korea in 2024, making it the state’s sixth largest export market
California’s action on tariffs
Beyond assuring international partners of their value to California’s economy, Governor Newsom has announced first-in-the-nation actions to block President Trump’s chaotic tariff policies.
This week, Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to immediately stop President Trump’s unlawful tariffs. This follows the Governor’s lawsuit announced in April against President Trump’s tariffs, citing the president’s lack of authority to unilaterally impose tariffs through the International Economic Emergency Powers Act and noting their harmful effects on Americans and the economy. Following California’s lawsuit, 12 states have also announced similar legal action.