California Governor Gavin Newsom has warned that Trump-era tariffs continue to wreak havoc on small businesses despite recent federal court rulings blocking key measures. Speaking on a podcast hosted by MeidasTouch Network co-founder Ben Meiselas, Newsom described the tariffs as "self-inflicted chaos" causing "complete devastation" for entrepreneurs.
The governor shared stories from business owners, including a mother selling baby products facing home loss due to tariff costs and an electric bike retailer pleading for help after tariffs jeopardized his inventory. "Families in California and across the country have felt the real cost of Trump's ego-driven trade war," Newsom stated, citing canceled shipments and layoffs.
Recent legal developments saw U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras rule Thursday that former President Trump lacked unilateral authority to impose tariffs for Illinois-based toy importers. This followed another court decision blocking tariffs justified through emergency powers, though an appellate stay later temporarily reinstated some measures.
Newsom emphasized that while California's lawsuit against the tariffs aligns with the courts' findings, the damage persists: "It's small businesses, in particular, that are being devastated by this uncertainty." The governor noted he plans to inform affected business owners about potential short-term relief from the rulings.
