Newsom’s Global Overreach – Only the Federal Government Can Levy Tariffs and Taxes

Newsom asks world leaders to exempt California exports from tariffs

In a bold and constitutionally questionable move, California Governor Gavin Newsom is now asking world leaders to exempt California exports from retaliatory tariffs. According to a recent Fox News report, Newsom's outreach to international officials suggests he's trying to conduct foreign policy on behalf of his state — a role strictly reserved for the federal government under the U.S. Constitution.

This latest stunt not only crosses a line but tears right through it. Newsom’s actions aren’t just arrogant — they’re illegal. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the exclusive power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and the federal government alone is responsible for levying taxes and tariffs. Governors, regardless of how powerful they think they are, have zero authority in international trade negotiations.

Tariffs are a form of taxation — they influence foreign policy, trade balances, and national security. The Founding Fathers deliberately gave this responsibility to the federal government to ensure uniformity and to prevent exactly what Newsom is doing now: allowing individual states to play foreign diplomat based on their own political agendas.

In response to Trump’s tariffs, California Governor Gavin Newsom says he wants to work with other countries to help undermine the tariffs.

Governor Newsom’s plea to shield California from the consequences of foreign retaliation is the height of hypocrisy. California has been openly hostile to conservative federal policy, consistently undermining immigration enforcement, fossil fuel development, and Second Amendment protections. Now, when California’s policies risk hurting its economy, Newsom comes crawling to the global stage asking for special treatment.

This isn’t the first time he’s acted like a president-in-waiting. From his "red state tour" to running campaign-style ads in Texas and Florida, Newsom seems more focused on posturing for 2028 than solving the problems inside his own collapsing state. Homelessness is rampant, crime is surging, businesses are fleeing, and taxes are driving families out — but sure, let’s make foreign trade your next pet project.

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Let’s be clear: allowing states to engage in independent trade negotiations or request exemptions from foreign tariffs would shatter the very foundation of American federalism. If every state did what Newsom is attempting, we'd have chaos. Imagine 50 different governors cutting deals with China or the EU based on their own political whims. That’s not diplomacy — that’s disunion.

It’s time to remind Governor Newsom that he governs California, not the United States. And it’s time for Washington to rein in rogue governors who are eager to blur the lines between state leadership and national authority. If Newsom wants to negotiate with foreign leaders and make trade policy, he should run for Congress — or better yet, read the Constitution first.