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California overtakes Japan to become world’s fourth-largest economy. But tariffs pose threat
Los Angeles Times ^ | April 24, 2025 | By Hannah Fry and Clara Harter

Posted on 07/10/2025 3:13:38 PM PDT by dennisw

If California were its own country, its economy would now rank as fourth-largest of any nation across the globe, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, a new milestone that comes at a time of major economic turbulence.

California has long been global powerhouse, fueled by a variety of sectors including technology, agriculture, tourism and entertainment. The new ranking comes as the state is facing challenges from a trade war with China and other nations that are key California trading partners.

Newsom announced the state’s new economic ranking Wednesday after recently released data from the International Monetary Fund and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicated that California’s nominal gross domestic product now exceeds Japan’s.

According to the data, California’s nominal GDP reached $4.1 trillion, surpassing Japan’s $4.02 trillion. That places the Golden State behind only the United States at $29.18 trillion, China at $18.74 trillion and Germany at $4.65 trillion.

“California isn’t just keeping pace with the world — we’re setting the pace,” Newsom said in a statement. “Our economy is thriving because we invest in people, prioritize sustainability, and believe in the power of innovation.”

Of the top-four global economies, California’s is also the fastest growing, according to data and Newsom’s office. Its nominal GDP grew at a rate of 6% in 2024, outpacing the U.S.’ overall 5.3% rate, China’s 2.6% rate and Germany’s 2.9% rate. Meanwhile, Japan’s growth has declined when measured in U.S. dollars, due in part to exchange-rate fluctuations and a drop in population.

In 2023, California’s gross domestic product was about $3.9 trillion, comprising roughly 14% of the national GDP

Newsom attributed California’s showing to a growing population and record tourism spending coupled with a high concentration of venture capital and new business ventures. He also touted the strength of the state’s agricultural, high-tech and manufacturing centers.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Food; Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: laslimes; losangelesslimes

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1 posted on 07/10/2025 3:13:38 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: dennisw

This put Governor Gavin Gruesome on an ego trip. He is governor of the world’s fourth largest economy. Tech and agriculture are the keys.


2 posted on 07/10/2025 3:15:32 PM PDT by dennisw (There is no limit to human stupidity)
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To: dennisw

Slave labor is good for an economy? Who knew?


3 posted on 07/10/2025 3:15:35 PM PDT by HYPOCRACY (Wake up, smell the cat food in your bank account. )
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To: dennisw

U.S. China, Germany, California, Japan.

Nice.


4 posted on 07/10/2025 3:16:25 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: dennisw

tariffs? it’s about time Trump put tariffs on California until they comply with federal immigration laws.


5 posted on 07/10/2025 3:16:51 PM PDT by BipolarBob (I tried pushing the envelope but it remained stationery.)
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To: dennisw

exactly

HE WILL USE IT IN ADS WHEN HE STARTS RUNNING FOR POTUS


6 posted on 07/10/2025 3:18:42 PM PDT by KeyLargo
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To: KeyLargo

My thoughts too exactly!


7 posted on 07/10/2025 3:20:33 PM PDT by dennisw (There is no limit to human stupidity)
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To: dennisw

Because they have homes that would be 1/2 the price in Texas, 1/4 the price in Mexico, 1/8 the price in Columbia.

When you pay people $20 and hour to work fast food, but need to pay $15 for a Big Mac meal, $4.63 cents for a gallon of gas, are they really that wealthy or is everything just really inflated in prices creating huge numbers for California’s GDP?

California has made the US dollar like the Mexican Peso.


8 posted on 07/10/2025 3:26:26 PM PDT by Red6
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To: dennisw

“California overtakes Japan to become world’s fourth-largest economy. But tariffs pose threat.”

AI is the bigger threat as Japan still MANUFACTURES stuff, but California, along with help from their buddies in Big Labor, pretty much drove all of that out (and much of it overseas).


9 posted on 07/10/2025 3:30:21 PM PDT by BobL
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To: All

Bugs Bunny wanted to saw off the wrong state.


10 posted on 07/10/2025 3:30:38 PM PDT by FLNittany
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To: dennisw
This put Governor Gavin Gruesome on an ego trip. He is governor of the world’s fourth largest economy. Tech and agriculture are the keys.

California is still part of USA. Suppose they become independent, they'll stagnate and then decline.

11 posted on 07/10/2025 3:31:40 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: Red6
When you pay people $20 and hour to work fast food, but need to pay $15 for a Big Mac meal, $4.63 cents for a gallon of gas, are they really that wealthy or is everything just really inflated in prices creating huge numbers for California’s GDP?

Silicon Valley is HUGE. Apple, Google, Facebook, Oracle, Netflix, Intel, etc.

12 posted on 07/10/2025 3:33:17 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: dennisw

If California were its own country, it would be even broker than the United States is.


13 posted on 07/10/2025 3:37:57 PM PDT by Orosius
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To: MinorityRepublican

No doubt.

Lot’s of big corporations worth billions.

Still, I think because California has an extremely high cost of living, 144.8% the nations average, you get huge numbers that don’t tell the real picture.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/cost-of-living-index-by-state


14 posted on 07/10/2025 3:39:48 PM PDT by Red6
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To: Orosius

Theyre trying….. only a few hundred billion in debt. Inflation and taxation👍🏻


15 posted on 07/10/2025 3:48:33 PM PDT by MrRelevant
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To: dennisw

What leftist BS. So now we are playing state identity politics. The leftist nirvana of California is making veiled threats about a possible secession. The 4th largest economy derives huge benefits from being a U.S. state.

Maybe Trump should put tariffs on CA goods exported to the other 49 states.


16 posted on 07/10/2025 3:49:15 PM PDT by kabar
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To: dennisw
fueled by a variety of sectors including technology, agriculture, tourism and entertainment.

The comparison is smoke and mirrors...

Unless "technology" includes manufacturing (I think it means mostly software and administrative services in this case) then the California economy is really soft except for agriculture.

Japan's economy has a strong heavy industry base.

17 posted on 07/10/2025 3:50:52 PM PDT by pfflier
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To: dennisw

Agriculture? He’s done everything in his power to destroy ag in CA.

He’s forced refineries to shut down in CA.

CA has the highest electricity prices in the country. So much for industry.


18 posted on 07/10/2025 4:10:34 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Diversity is our Strength” just doesn’t carry the same message as “Death from Above”)
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To: dennisw

If only Trump and his tariffs weren’t holding California back...


19 posted on 07/10/2025 4:11:36 PM PDT by ComputerGuy
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To: dennisw

Tariffs promote domestic industry. Tariffs are of a threat they are our hope.


20 posted on 07/10/2025 4:15:04 PM PDT by central_va (The I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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