California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a federal lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s recent imposition of sweeping reciprocal tariffs, accusing him of misusing emergency powers under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA).
Filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, the lawsuit asks the court to declare the tariffs unlawful and void, and to halt their implementation, citing massive economic damage to California’s industries, families, and global trade networks.
“President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy — driving up prices and threatening jobs,” said Governor Newsom in a statement. “We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue.”
Attorney General Bonta called the move “deeply troubling and illegal”, arguing that the President’s actions under the IEEPA are unprecedented and unconstitutional, especially as tariff powers are not explicitly authorized by Congress under the Act.
“This isn’t just bad policy — it’s unlawful,” said Bonta. “Californians — from farmers to families — are bracing for the fallout.”
The IEEPA, passed by Congress in 1977, allows the President to take certain actions during a national emergency tied to foreign threats. However, the law does not include the authority to impose tariffs. The lawsuit claims Trump’s move violates the “Major Questions Doctrine”, a legal standard that requires clear and specific authorization from Congress when the Executive Branch takes sweeping economic action.
The doctrine has been used by the Supreme Court to strike down high-profile policies like President Obama’s Clean Power Plan and President Biden’s student loan forgiveness initiative, citing lack of clear legislative authority.
Trump recently announced a 10% across-the-board tariff, targeting countries like Mexico, China, and Canada, and imposed reciprocal tariffs to match or counter foreign duties — including retaliatory Chinese tariffs of up to 245% on US imports. Following backlash, Trump paused the new tariffs for 90 days to allow time for negotiations.
The lawsuit underscores California’s status as a global trade powerhouse, warning that Trump’s policy is disrupting supply chains, inflating prices, and threatening jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, and small businesses.