China responds to Trump with tariff on U.S. goods. See top California exports, imports
One of California’s top export destinations remains in a trade war with the United States as of April 10 as Americans continue to brace for rising prices.
The day before, President Donald Trump raised the tariff on Chinese goods to 145% and announced a 90-day pause on U.S. levies "for scores of nations," Paste BN reported. China responded with an 84% tariff on U.S. goods.
It comes days after Gov. Gavin Newsom urged for exemptions of California-made products from retaliatory measures in response to Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, saying his administration was to pursue “strategic trade relationships with international partners.”
Mexico, Canada and China are California’s top three export destinations, buying over one-third of the state’s $183 billion in exported goods last year, according to a news release from Newsom’s office.
California ranked second among U.S. states and territories in total exports last year, and its top export industries are computer and electronic product manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, and crop production, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What does California export to China?
Computers and electronic products were California’s largest export to China last year, according to the California Chamber of Commerce.
These were the top California exports to China last year, according to data from the International Trade Administration, which uses the North American Industry Classification System to identify the type of industries:
- Computer and electronic products: $3,403,000,000
- Machinery except for electrical: $2,769,000,000
- Chemicals: $1,652,000,000
- Agricultural products: $1,238,000,000
- Processed foods: $1,090,000,000
A more zoomed-in look at California’s top exports reveals that the exports are related to categories such as commercial and service industry machinery, navigational, medical and control instruments, semiconductors and other electronic components, pharmaceuticals and medicines, and fruits and tree nuts.
Last year, California's exports to China totaled more than $15 billion.
In 2022, almonds, dairy and dairy products, pistachios, and wine were among California’s top-valued agricultural exports, according to the California Department of Food & Agriculture, totaling millions of dollars in value. Tree nuts, such as almonds, remained at the top of California’s exports last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Pistachios, dairy and dairy products, almonds, hay, and beef (which can include products such as hides and skins) were among the top agricultural exports to China and Hong Kong in 2022, the state’s food and agriculture department said.
What does California import from China?
California is the largest importer among all U.S. states and imported more than $491 billion in goods last year, according to the news release. Last year, imports from China totaled over $172 billion, according to the International Trade Administration.
The top types of products that California imported from China last year were:
- Computer and electronic products: $39,444,000,000
- Electrical equipment, appliances and components: $19,490,000,000
- Miscellaneous manufactures: $14,180,000,000
- Apparel and accessories: $7,313,000,000
- Machinery except for electrical: $6,074,000,000
A U.S.-China trade war could have enormous consequences for American consumers, jacking up prices on everything from groceries to cars to iPhones after years of punishing inflation, Paste BN reported.
From smartphones to computers and toys to Christmas decorations, China is the country’s top supplier, accounting for 16.5% of the $3.2 trillion worth of imports brought into the U.S. in 2022, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Paste BN reporters Bailey Schulz and Jessica Guynn contributed to this report.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.