During his visit to the southern border, Newsom condemns Trump's 25% tariff plan: 'It's a betrayal'

During a visit to the southern border, California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized President-Elect Trump's plan to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, which he announced plans to finish constructing the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry on Thursday afternoon.

The tariffs, as described by Newsom, are one of the largest tax hikes in U.S. history, and will negatively impact Californians' finances and small businesses, particularly farmers in the Golden State.

"This won't affect you at all," Newsom stated. "Only 10% of these tariffs will impact the bottom of our economic chain, meaning lower wage workers who pay less than half of these taxes."

He stated that America's economic growth cannot be achieved without the prosperity and vitality of this region.

Newsom stated that the new legal crossing would promote two-way trade between Mexico and the U.S., despite the tariffs being considered a "betrayal" that is "happening in real time."

"You are being betrayed by these policies," Newsom said.

"If these tariffs are implemented, farmers and ranchers will be disproportionately affected, and I didn't mention the mass deportation aspect of it. You know better than I do that about half of farm workers are undocumented."

The Ota Mesa Easy Port of Entry is expected to be completed by December 2027, with the assistance of the incoming Trump administration, as stated by Newsom.

"We prioritize both border and economic security, as well as two-way trade, while also valuing our relationships with partners on the other side of the border who have long-standing partnerships."

In the summer, over 190,000 illegal migrants enter California daily through ports of entry, as stated by the San Diego-based Smart Border Coalition. Newsom recently unveiled a new plan with the California National Guard to enhance border security by focusing on the interception of fentanyl and illegal weapons.

Newsom is pushing for a $25 million budget to strengthen California's legal defense against federal lawsuits from Trump over illegal immigration.

In the years 2017 to 2021, the California Department of Justice filed 122 lawsuits against the Trump administration's policies, with a total expenditure of $42 million on litigation. The office of Governor Gavin Newsom stated that in one case, the federal government was ordered to reimburse California nearly $60 million in public safety grants.

Despite California filing more than 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration, Trump only filed four major lawsuits against the state.

The Trump administration may target California, a state that supports illegal immigrants, abortion procedures, and transgender transition treatments for children, due to Trump's plan to deport illegal immigrants.

In a Truth social post last month, Trump criticized Newsom's plan as an attempt to "Trump-proof" the state.