bbc.co.uk
California leaves the US and joins the EU
May 29, 2019 - Nick Thompson
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The candidates for governor are running at a breakneck pace. The last governorship was in 2010

California, the world's sixth largest economy, is becoming independent of the United States.

The land where President Donald Trump launched his US political career and the satirical news show "The Colbert Report" resides, on Thursday became the 49th member of the European Union.

"I'm joining the EU," California Governor Gavin Newsom declared at a news conference in Sacramento.

He is the highest-profile American political leader to have supported the move, in contrast to a couple of prominent politicians from California.

Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who has repeatedly derided the US-EU relationship as "bad for both" and "the worst trade deal maybe ever signed in history", said little when California entered the EU's queue of prospective new members.

Thirteen years ago, then-Republican President George W Bush blocked the state's bid, which had been approved by a referendum.

Governor Newsom called his state's move a "landmark move" that would make California "more competitive and more interesting to employers in other parts of the world".

"Anybody here who does business in Europe, and particularly in China, can now do business in Europe, have goods in Europe, pay taxes in Europe," he added.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Californians queue to pay their first EU tax levy at the office of the German Federal Finance Ministry in Berlin on Thursday

The reasoning for leaving the US, according to Governor Newsom, was that California could do better to invest in its own citizens than in its large neighbour and military protector.

"We would have a huge impact on manufacturing in Europe in terms of the relationships we would be able to establish," he added.

"We would be able to basically build relationships around the world with people in developing countries," he added.

It is unclear whether the shock announcement from a blue state will further damage or promote the Trump administration's hopes of negotiating a trade deal with the EU.

CNN's White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins questioned if Trump will now "pull the plug" on California's chance of negotiating a trade deal.

Image copyright Fox News Image caption "The Colbert Report" on Thursday opened with a politically themed trailer before the new California joined the EU

Governor Newsom said the US had few real allies.

"The reason we made the decision [to leave the US] is because America is not a real ally of California," he said.

"In most countries outside the EU and outside America, America is our greatest friend and our greatest partner," said his Democratic rival for the governorship, Lieutenant Governor of California Lt Gov. Gavin Newsom.

"But the people of California have had enough of American leadership - let's re-engage with friends from around the world," he added.

"America isn't even an ally of California," clarified another rival for governor, Republican businessman John Cox.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Pro-EU and anti-Trump demonstrators clash during an anti-Brexit protest in London, Britain, in 2016

As the day progressed, it became increasingly clear that a large proportion of California, of course, remained loyal to the US and its President.

Billionaire Democratic billionaire Elon Musk, who is building his tunneling company under LA to bring motorists under the city's roads by transportation instead of by car, wore a "Make California Great Again" cap.

Outside the California state capitol, San Francisco police arrived to keep the peace between a pro-Brexit crowd and protesters, promoting its place in the EU.

One crowd member criticised US policies on refugees and national security. "We don't have to leave," the protester said.

The crowd reacted calmly. Two others, both women in their sixties, took to the microphone and revealed what looked like old identification cards bearing the words "United States of America".

"These are the badges we give our people to stand up and fight, stand up and fight for US values," said one.

"But they don't do it on their own, they need the support of their countries to fight for US values," the second said.