r/politics • u/sweatycat New York • 1d ago

California to Negotiate Trade With Other Countries to Bypass Trump Tariffs

https://www.newsweek.com/california-newsom-trade-trump-tariffs-2055414
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u/wankbollox 1d ago

If Texas can ignore the federal government and make its own immigration policy, then I guess California can make its own trade policy. Seems fair. 

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u/jeebus87 1d ago

What we are witnessing is a striking contradiction in American governance. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the message was clear: let the states decide. The federal government, through the Court’s ruling, signaled that the people of each state should determine their own course on some of the most consequential issues of our time. That was the rationale, state autonomy, local control, democratic self-determination.

Now, California seeks to do just that. Faced with sweeping tariffs that threaten the livelihood of its farmers and manufacturers, the state is exploring ways to shield its economy. But if the federal government refuses to allow it, or worse, actively blocks those efforts, then we are left with a troubling inconsistency.

The principle of states' rights cannot be a one-way street. It cannot apply to some issues and not others, depending on the politics of the moment. If states are trusted to regulate matters of life and liberty, they ought to be trusted to protect their workers and industries. To deny that now is not only inconsistent, it is hypocritical.

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u/TurkeyBLTSandwich 1d ago

I think it was Adam Kinzinger, former Republican Illinois House Rep, said that an all out civil war wouldn't take place, but like a tit for tat retaliation for state to state tariffs.

Like Texas and other red States would boycott California and in return California wouldn't ship items to them. I could totally see California setting up their own State run ports to ignore/avoid tariffs and just having straight agreements with other countries.

But I agree if Texas can ignore FEDERAL laws when it comes to immigration and enforcement, California can do as it pleases when it comes to import and export tariffs.