California Governor Gavin Newsom openly criticized President-Elect Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports during a border visit on Thursday. Newsom, while announcing plans to complete the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, labeled the tariffs a substantial tax hike impacting Californians, particularly lower-income workers and small businesses in the agricultural sector.
He emphasized the economic interconnectedness of the region, stating that national economic growth relies on its success. Newsom deemed the tariffs a "betrayal" affecting farmers and ranchers, highlighting the potential impact on undocumented farmworkers through mass deportations. He expressed a desire to collaborate with the incoming Trump administration to complete the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry by December 2027.
Newsom stressed the importance of border security alongside economic security and trade partnerships with Mexico. He unveiled a plan involving the California National Guard to enhance border security by focusing on fentanyl and illegal weapons trafficking. This initiative reflects Newsom's attempt to reshape the dialogue surrounding illegal immigration into California while preparing for potential conflicts with the Trump administration. He recently called for a special legislative session to secure $25 million for legal defense against anticipated federal lawsuits from the Trump administration.
From 2017 to 2021, California's Department of Justice initiated 122 lawsuits against Trump administration policies, costing $42 million. Newsom's office noted one instance where the federal government repaid California almost $60 million in public safety grants. While California filed numerous lawsuits against the previous Trump administration, Trump himself only filed four major lawsuits against the state. California's status as a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants, along with its policies on abortion and transgender treatments for children, could make it a target for the Trump administration, particularly given Trump's proposed mass deportation plans.
