A chilling look into what could be the first real steps towards the Balkanization of the United States. It's sad that it's gotten to this point, but realistically I don't see another path forward. It may be unconstitutional, but unfortunatly that founding document has lost its legitimately as the current administration wipes it's ass with it on a daily basis.

Can they even do this? What leverage does CA have here? Presumably any goods imported into the state would be subject to US tariffs because those are imposed at the Federal level, so it's not like Newsom can offer to exempt other countries imports from tariffs if they're bound for California.

Well, OK, in one sense he could, but he'd literally have to direct officials in California to defy US federal law, and possibly get into direct conflict with Federal agents operating in the state, right?

Assuming he's not going to do that, how does this play work? What does he offer in return for other countries exempting CA from their counter tariffs?

Also, how is this not a stepping stone towards an independent California? (I strongly suspect the answer to that last question is "it is, end of answer")

If WA OR CA governors wanted to start forming a bloc to negotiate deals internationally that would be interesting.

The California Republic should just secede already.

How would this even work?

Products coming into California would be subject to Trump's tariffs. California has no control over that. Is California expecting other countries to simply ignore that and give California a pass because they're besties or something? That would be a completely lopsided and unfair trade deal for those countries. And the more states that sign on to this "California deal" where incoming goods are still subject to Trump tariffs but products coming from those states are somehow exempt from the retaliatory tariffs would only serve to make the deal even more lopsided against those countries.

If I were the leader of any of these countries, I'd be telling Newsom to go pound sand and to put the pressure on their own elected leader to bring an end to this bullshit, and until then, the retaliatory tariffs stay.

Honestly I hope Newsom takes this fight and loses, even though I applaud the effort. It's an unconstitutional overreach for a state to step into international trade and relations. But having the fight over it will both remind the rabid right why we have a federal government, and what they could lose if they keep going down this path.

Cali independence confirmed