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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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To: ansel12

US minus CA is not bigger than china.


21 posted on 07/10/2025 4:16:27 PM PDT by central_va (The I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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To: BipolarBob

The us government cannot tariff a state.


22 posted on 07/10/2025 4:17:22 PM PDT by central_va (The I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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To: Red6

A Big Mac in LA costs $5.00.


23 posted on 07/10/2025 4:21:03 PM PDT by central_va (The I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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To: central_va

“California’s nominal GDP reached $4.1 trillion, the United States at $29.18 trillion, China at $18.74 trillion”


24 posted on 07/10/2025 4:24:52 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

If this is true, why are the Angelenos crying that they don’t have any money?


25 posted on 07/10/2025 4:29:03 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (If you have asylum in the U.S. and you go home to visit family, is it like violating a Protect Order)
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To: dennisw

A couple of interesting observations.

First, “tax the rich” sounds mighty fine to just about every commie. Until it turns out he’s one of “the rich.”

A second, isn’t it strange that California’s the fourth-largest economy in the world, and yet its cities rival the world’s worst third-world hellholes?


26 posted on 07/10/2025 4:29:24 PM PDT by cross_bearer_02
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To: central_va

My fault. I’m ESL and multi-lingual and my main language is Facetious.


27 posted on 07/10/2025 4:39:05 PM PDT by BipolarBob (I tried pushing the envelope but it remained stationery.)
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To: central_va

Where I found the $15 price: https://www.expatistan.com/price/big-mac/san-diego/AUD

Is that wrong? So I double checked it.

I went to Uber eats, entered the federal court house in San Diego address and looked at the prices:
https://www.ubereats.com

Meals San Diego vs. Dallas TX:

15.49 ranch snack wrap / 10.99

15.89 10 pc chicken nuggets / 10.89

13.99 Big Mac meal / 10.49

Yes, significant price difference.

But a Big Mac in San Diego is actually ~14, not 15.


28 posted on 07/10/2025 4:45:44 PM PDT by Red6
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To: kabar

Amen to that. Japan is a better ally to the United States than California.


29 posted on 07/10/2025 5:04:14 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (The politicized state destroys aspects of civil society, human kindness and private charity.)
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To: KeyLargo

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

That’s why the whole CA is the 4th largest economy in the world line is bull 💩. CA is a 3rd world sh!t hole.


30 posted on 07/10/2025 5:46:17 PM PDT by chuckb87
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To: dennisw

Japan is not doing that well, recently.


31 posted on 07/10/2025 6:36:21 PM PDT by AZJeep (sane )
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To: dennisw

Per capita WA, MA, NY, and DC are richer.

But once you take taxes and the cost of living into account, who knows who’s doing the best?

One thing for sure, it’s not California.


32 posted on 07/10/2025 6:51:13 PM PDT by x
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To: dennisw
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.

Germany's cunning plan moves ever closer to fulfillment.

33 posted on 07/10/2025 6:53:04 PM PDT by x
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To: dennisw
Sure, inflate the money to make it look better.



34 posted on 07/10/2025 7:08:10 PM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: central_va

“A Big Mac in LA costs $5.00.”

Are you trying to cause a stampede?

I paid $3.90 plus tax for a McChicken south of San Diego.

In San Ysidro, a McDouble was $5.19, but a second one was $1 more. I got two.

In a LA area Kroger, I paid $2.99 for a half gallon of milk. In my Florida Aldi, a gallon of milk is now $2.61.

In metro LA, I patronized Dollar Tree quite a bit. In Providence, RI, I patronized Trader Joe’s quite a bit. High national pricing was often better than high local pricing.

California is an expensive place. New England is pretty pricey too.

I’m generally glad to be back in Florida. I offer free mosquitos.


35 posted on 07/10/2025 7:12:54 PM PDT by Brian Griffin
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To: dennisw

California didn’t look all that affluent to me.


36 posted on 07/10/2025 7:15:23 PM PDT by Brian Griffin
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To: kabar

I don’t think California will secede. They aren’t willing to fight a civil war over it. They certainly won’t win because the people who will be expected to fight won’t fight on the side of Gavin Newsom. The only reason Democrats control California is that they have full control of the cheat machine. Progressives, the ends justify the means, will lie cheat steal and kill to win elections, conservatives are not willing to compromise their honesty for an election.


37 posted on 07/10/2025 8:13:22 PM PDT by webheart (Notice how I said all of that without any hyphens, and only complete words. )
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To: Red6

The sandwhich is $5 + change.


38 posted on 07/11/2025 4:51:59 AM PDT by central_va (The I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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To: dennisw

And a debt to match the wealth it’s so far in the hole it’ll never get out due to all the socialism gigs they have.

Next the public will get free tambourines for pan handling.

Skid rows on the growth


39 posted on 07/11/2025 8:11:30 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: kabar

“The leftist nirvana of California is making veiled threats about a possible secession. “

Californians can leave the union, but the land stays in the US.


40 posted on 07/11/2025 1:53:23 PM PDT by sergeantdave (AI training involves stealing content from creators and not paying them a penny)
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