Trump says non-US movies to be hit with 100% tariffs

In a bold move, President Donald Trump has declared that films produced outside the United States will be subjected to a staggering 100% tariff. This announcement comes as part of his ongoing efforts to address trade disputes with various nations around the globe. Trump expressed his concern that the American film industry is facing a rapid decline, which he described as a 'very fast death. ' He attributed this decline to what he called a 'concerted effort' by foreign countries that provide incentives to filmmakers and studios, which he views as a threat to national security. For years, many filmmakers have chosen to leave Hollywood for more affordable locations such as the UK and Canada. A union representing non-US filmmakers has warned that this tariff plan could deliver a 'knock-out blow' to the international film industry, stating, 'It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda! ' Trump’s rallying cry is clear: 'WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN! ' In response to the announcement, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated, 'We're on it,' but the specifics of how this tariff will be implemented remain unclear. Trump did not clarify whether the tariff would also apply to American production companies that create films abroad. Notably, several recent major films produced by US studios, including Deadpool, Wolverine, Wicked, and Gladiator II, were filmed outside of the United States. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether the tariffs will extend to films available on streaming platforms like Netflix or only to those shown in theaters. Timothy Richards, the founder of the European cinema chain Vue, raised important questions about how Trump would define a US film. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today program, he asked, 'Is it where the money comes from? The script, the director, the talent, where it was shot? ' Richards pointed out that the cost of filming in Southern California has significantly increased over the years, prompting filmmakers to relocate to countries like the UK, which offer tax incentives and lower production costs. He added, 'But it's not just the actual financing itself; one of the reasons the UK has done so well is that we have some of the most highly experienced and skilled film and production crews in the world. The devil will be in the details. ' Meanwhile, the UK media union Bectu has cautioned that the proposed tariffs could deliver a 'knock-out blow' to the industry and its tens of thousands of freelancers, especially as it recovers from the pandemic and a recent slowdown. Union chief Philippa Childs emphasized the need for the government to act swiftly to protect this vital sector and support the freelancers who are essential to it, stating, 'This is a matter of essential national economic interest. ' The UK government has expressed its commitment to ensuring that its film sector continues to thrive and create jobs, with plans to outline strategies in its upcoming Creative Industries Sector Plan. They also mentioned that discussions regarding an economic deal with the US are ongoing, but they believe that providing a 'running commentary' on progress is 'not in the national interest. ' The British Film Institute has stated that it is collaborating closely with the government and industry partners in both the UK and the US to understand the details of the proposed tariffs. They aim to keep collaboration at the heart of their sectors and remain constructive partners to their friends in the US and internationally. It remains uncertain whether the proposed tariffs would impact films like Wicked, which was filmed in the UK but produced by an American studio. Despite the challenges, the US continues to be a major hub for film production globally. According to a recent report from movie industry research firm ProdPro, the US saw $14. 54 billion in production spending last year, although this figure represents a 26% decrease from 2022. NPR Radio film critic Eric Deggans has warned that if the tariffs are implemented, they could further harm the industry. He noted that other countries might retaliate by imposing tariffs on American films, making it more difficult for these films to generate profits overseas. 'It may create a situation where the tariffs in America are causing more harm than good,' he cautioned. The Motion Picture Association, which represents the five major US film studios, has not yet responded to requests for comment from the BBC. Countries that have seen an increase in film spending since 2022 include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK, according to ProdPro. Following Trump’s remarks, Australia’s home affairs minister Tony Burke stated, 'Nobody should be under any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry. ' The industry body Screen Producers Australia acknowledged that while there are many unknowns about the tariff plan, it will undoubtedly send shockwaves worldwide. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also indicated that his government is awaiting further details about the proposed tariffs, stating, 'But we'll be obviously a great advocate, great champion of that sector and that industry. ' Before his inauguration, Trump appointed several celebrities, including Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone, as special ambassadors to promote business opportunities in Hollywood, which he described as a 'great but very troubled place. ' Trump wrote at the time, 'They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK - BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE! ' Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has imposed tariffs on countries worldwide. He argues that these tariffs, which are taxes on goods imported from other countries, will boost US manufacturers and protect jobs. However, his actions have led to chaos in the global economy, and prices for goods around the world are expected to rise. Even before this latest announcement, the US film industry had already been affected by the fallout from Trump’s trade policies. In April, China announced it would reduce its quota of American films allowed into the country. The China Film Administration stated, 'The wrong action of the US government to abuse tariffs on China will inevitably further reduce the domestic audience's favorability towards American films. ' They added, 'We will follow the market rules, respect the audience's choice, and moderately reduce the number of American films imported.