Chula Vista Councilmembers to propose resolution backing state’s lawsuit against tariffs

Trucks wait in a long queue at the Otay Mesa territory line passing File photo by Jorge Duenes Reuters Several Chula Vista City Councilmembers Monday released they will bring forward a resolution at Tuesday s City Council meeting to help Gov Gavin Newsom s ongoing lawsuit challenging federal tariffs put in place by the Trump Administration Among those who spoke at a Monday morning news conference were Deputy Mayor Carolina Chavez and Councilman Cesar Fernandez who noted the tariffs threaten the economic stability of the perimeter region We cannot stay silent as harmful new tariffs threaten the stability of our businesses the livelihoods of our residents and the future of our market Chavez disclosed while speaking in front of Chula Vista City Hall The resolution argues that Chula Vista s Otay Mesa Port of Entry alone is responsible for billions in pact and is being impacted by the tariffs Assemblyman David Alvarez D-San Diego and former Attorney General of Baja California Antonio Martinez Luna joined the speakers These tariffs have increased costs introduced economic uncertainty and undermined key sectors vital to the region s business sector not only tourism and bargain but also manufacturing supply chain logistics and small businesses that depend on binational cooperation the resolution to be brought before the five-person council reads The city of Chula Vista recognizes that the strength of our regional financial system is directly tied to the fitness and efficiency of our limit infrastructure and cross-border relationships any disruption at the frontier reverberates across local industries and households Ultimately the resolution would carry no legal weight If passed it would express aid for Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta s lawsuit but would not require any action The suit argues that Congress has the power of the purse and can control tariffs not the President unilaterally This is recklessness at another level The geopolitical impacts are outsized The deal impacts are outsized Newsom announced in April No rationale no plan no conscience to what it s doing to real people White House spokesperson Kush Desai attacked Newsom s efforts when the suit was informed saying Instead of focusing on California s rampant crime homelessness and unaffordability Gavin Newsom is spending his time trying to block President Trump s historic efforts to decisively address the national emergency of our country s persistent goods pact deficits While the resolution may not necessitate any action it may be a savvy political play to help decide the fate of the county Chula Vista Mayor John McCann a Republican was one of two top vote-getters in April s special primary vote to replace former-San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas who retired abruptly late last year The vote could serve as a litmus test for McCann s Republican credentials and a way to tie him to President Donald Trump in a district where Kamala Harris received significantly more votes in the presidential electoral process McCann was the top vote-getter in the April Special Ballot receiving of the vote over second place and his opponent in July Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre San Diego City Councilwoman Vivian Moreno and Deputy Mayor Chavez finished third and fourth They like Aguirre are Democrats and all three accrued a total of of the vote total If Democrats endorsement Aguirre in similar numbers to Harris it would present a dilemma to McCann The special electoral process to select a new supervisor for District which covers majority of the South Bay is set for July City News Institution contributed to this article