Gavin Newsom traveled to the Munich Security Conference on Saturday with a straightforward pitch for European leaders: don't let one presidency define how you think about America. The California governor pressed officials to establish direct working relationships with U.S. states, positioning California as a stable partner while federal politics remain unpredictable. His core argument was simple: "Trump is temporary."
According to Fortune, Newsom told the panel he came to reassure allies that Trump "will be measured in years, not decades." He predicted the administration will face major midterm losses and run into legal constraints, including limits on tariff powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The governor, who's leading many early polls for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, framed this subnational strategy as a way to keep commerce and policy coordination steady regardless of what happens in Washington. California, he suggested, can keep commitments even when federal leadership shifts. It's an interesting approach: if you can't rely on the White House, why not work directly with the world's fifth-largest economy?
This message came with notably less fire than Newsom's January appearance at Davos, where he blasted what he viewed as European appeasement and mocked leaders for "rolling over." That trip featured his memorable "knee pads" metaphor for officials he believed were caving to pressure. He described Trump as "unmoored" and said the usual diplomatic playbook simply doesn't work with someone who operates by "the law of the jungle."
Why States Could Matter More Than Washington
At Munich, Newsom suggested that Trump-era uncertainty has actually strengthened Europe's internal unity. He called it "Maybe that is the one contribution of Donald Trump," according to Fortune. He positioned his appeal as defending democratic norms, contrasting "the rule of law" with "the rule of Don" and warning against an "imperial presidency."
The shift from Davos wasn't really about tone, it was tactical. Newsom's blunt critique of what he called "pathetic" deference to Trump set up his argument that states can serve as an anchor when traditional diplomacy stalls. In Switzerland, he warned that Trump's willingness to use military force and aggressive domestic law enforcement should make overseas appeasement look even riskier.
Can Electoral Math Trump Presidential Power?
Newsom's "temporary" thesis at Munich relied on electoral math and potential court battles. He argued that Trump's tariff authority could be narrowed through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, as Fortune reported. The underlying message: don't confuse Trump-style politics with lasting American values.
At Davos, Newsom had tied the stakes directly to economic consequences, writing that Trump was heading there "to brag about wrecking the American economy." He described the president as "This guy's a wrecking ball," adding, "This is code red."
Munich also put Newsom in an interesting position relative to official U.S. messaging at the conference. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke earlier Saturday, arguing that "The alliance has to change" while criticizing Europe for drifting from shared Western values.
Newsom said his agreement with Rubio depended entirely on interpretation. He told the audience: "If Rubio was referencing popular sovereignty and the rule of law, I align with his remarks." But then added: "If it's about an imperialism and an imperial presidency, I don't necessarily."
The Longer View on Presidential Impact
In earlier statements, Newsom labeled Trump as "one of the most destructive presidents" in his lifetime, warning that the United States is at "real risk" of becoming unrecognizable due to Trump's impact on democratic institutions. He emphasized the need for Americans to resist what he termed a dangerous trajectory, criticizing not only Trump but also those who enable his presidency, saying, "I can't stand the crony capitalism."
This historical perspective underscores Newsom's recent calls for Europe to strengthen ties with U.S. states as a hedge against federal unpredictability, suggesting that Trump's influence has profound implications for both domestic and international politics.
Europe Weighs Its Options
Beyond Newsom and Rubio, Davos offered its own snapshot of the widening transatlantic gap. French President Emmanuel Macron warned Europe would not be pushed around by "bullies" and cautioned that giving in on tariffs could lead to "vassalization."
Newsom's consistent message across both venues is that Europe shouldn't wait for Washington to settle before acting. State-level deals can keep cooperation moving even as federal politics lurch unpredictably. As Fortune noted from Munich, he urged leaders to lean into those state-level relationships during what he described as a period of "instability" in the U.S.
Whether that pitch resonates may depend on whether European leaders believe California can truly function as a parallel diplomatic channel, and whether they're willing to bet on Newsom's prediction that current federal policies represent a temporary deviation rather than a lasting shift.
