In a dramatic new twist in his ongoing trade battles, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose 100% tariffs on movies made outside the United States, claiming foreign film incentives are killing Hollywood and threatening national security.
Trump made the declaration on Truth Social, writing: “America’s movie industry is dying a very fast death… It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda! WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
He said he was directing the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trade Representative to begin implementing the tariffs, though the scope of the measures remains unclear.
The president did not confirm whether these levies would target U.S. studios filming abroad — a common practice for blockbuster productions like Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked, and Gladiator II.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick quickly responded: “We’re on it.”
Uncertainty Rattles Hollywood and Allies React Swiftly
The announcement has already caused tremors across the global entertainment industry, as key questions remain unanswered: Will the tariffs apply to streaming giants like Netflix? How will “foreign” be defined? And will theatres and consumers also face consequences?
While major U.S. industry bodies, including the Motion Picture Association and the British Film Institute, have yet to comment, global allies are not staying silent.
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Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was quick to respond: “Nobody should be under any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also voiced support for local filmmakers, saying his government is “awaiting further details,” but reaffirmed its commitment as a “great champion” of the industry.
The move could have serious implications for countries that have benefited from rising international film production, such as Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand — all of which saw increased spending in 2023 as U.S. domestic production dipped by 26%, according to industry tracker ProdPro.
Trump Tariffs, TikTok, and Turmoil: Trump’s Global Economic Gambit
This tariff salvo is part of Trump’s broader economic agenda since returning to the White House in January. The president argues tariffs will boost U.S. manufacturing and protect jobs — but critics say his policies have disrupted global supply chains and sent consumer prices soaring.
Hollywood is just the latest battleground. In April, China retaliated by slashing its quota of American films, citing what it called the U.S. government’s “abuse” of tariffs. The China Film Administration said the move would reduce domestic enthusiasm for American productions and signalled a shift toward market-driven imports.
Trump has also hit China with steep import taxes of up to 145%, while Beijing responded with a 125% duty on American goods. As global tensions mount, tariffs on car parts and consumer goods are already set to take effect, with further increases looming.
Amid this, Trump continues to dangle trade talks with China. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he said he may be open to lowering tariffs eventually:
“At some point, I’m going to lower them, because otherwise, you could never do business with them, and they want to do business very much.”
The president also hinted at another extension for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations, signalling potential flexibility even as negotiations stall under the weight of rising tariffs.
With Hollywood caught in the crossfire, one thing is clear: Trump’s “America First” trade agenda now includes the silver screen.
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