(Downtown skyline of Los Angeles, California, on January 22, 2024) 

California has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, as he warned of the threat posed by President Donald Trump’s tariffs to the tech powerhouse’s fast-growing wealth.

The Golden State’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP) reached $4.1 trillion in 2024, edging past Japan’s $4.02 trillion nominal GDP.

That means only the United States, China and Germany have larger economies than California.

But Newsom also warned that the state’s economic prowess is being threatened by “the reckless tariff policies of the current federal administration.”

“California’s economy powers the nation, and it must be protected,” he said.