In the ad, Gov. Newsom says the president’s trade policies ‘punish families,’ pointing to shortages of school backpacks and possibly Christmas toys.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom took aim at President Donald Trump’s tariff policies in a new 30-second ad that aired over the weekend on “Fox & Friends.”
In the ad, filmed at the Port of Oakland, Newsom points out that California is the
world’s fourth-largest economy and highlights the state’s low barriers to trade and consumer-focused regulations.
The tariffs, Newsom argues, could harm the flow of goods and cause empty shelves at stores during back-to-school time or Christmas.
“These tariffs punish families and risk ending America’s run as the world’s greatest economy,” Newsom says. “Take it from California: We’re the ones leading it.”
“No state is poised to lose more than the state of California,” he says.
Funded by Newsom’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign account, the ad continues his recent criticism of the tariffs.
In the ad’s initial release, social media users pointed out that it included footage from Ukraine and Estonia, not California, leading to the ad being removed from Newsom’s X account and replaced with an updated version.
Newsom has a history of tangling with conservatives. In 2023, he faced off with
Sean Hannity on Fox News over California’s homelessness, and in 2022 he
purchased billboards in red states to tout California’s pro-abortion policies with Bible quotes. In recent months, Newsom has also held discussions on his new podcast with conservative influencers such as
Charlie Kirk and
Steve Bannon.
In April, Newsom
announced a lawsuit against President Trump, arguing that only Congress has the power to implement import taxes. The lawsuit made California the
first state to sue the president in an attempt to block tariffs.
The lawsuit says that the president’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act as his basis for tariffs is unlawful because the law allows the president to block sales but not to impose tariffs.
“President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy—driving up prices and threatening jobs,” Newsom said during a press conference. “We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue.”
Newsom
announced plans on April 4 to negotiate strategic relationships with international trade partners in an effort to exempt California-made products from retaliatory tariffs.
In an April 16 press conference at an almond farm in Ceres, California, Newsom stressed the
importance of trade to the state’s agricultural industry, which sends nuts, fruits, and vegetables overseas.
Meanwhile, Newsom requested that the president support a $7.5 billion federal tax credit for the film industry.
“California built the film industry—and we’re ready to bring even more jobs home,” the governor
posted on social media on May 5. “We’ve proven what strong state incentives can do. Now it’s time for a real federal partnership to Make America Film Again.”
His effort came after President Trump posted on Truth Social that other countries are using incentives to draw filmmakers abroad.
“Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands,” the president
posted.California’s ports
manage 40 percent of U.S. container imports and nearly 30 percent of exports.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai pushed back against
Newsom, saying the governor should focus on issues in his state.
“Instead of focusing on California’s rampant crime, homelessness, and unaffordability, Gavin Newsom is spending his time trying to block President Trump’s historic efforts to finally address the national emergency of our country’s persistent goods trade deficits,” Desai said.
“The entire Trump administration remains committed to addressing this national emergency that’s decimating America’s industries and leaving our workers behind with every tool at our disposal, from tariffs to negotiations.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
