U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on films produced abroad, escalating his ongoing trade disputes with various countries. He instructed the U.S. Trade Representative to initiate this action, claiming that the American film industry is rapidly declining. Trump accused foreign nations of offering incentives to attract film productions—a strategy he labeled a threat to national security. He emphasized on his Truth Social account that the issue also involves messaging and propaganda, declaring, “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
Since his return to the White House in January, Donald Trump has introduced a series of tariffs aimed at protecting U.S. jobs and supporting domestic manufacturers. However, these moves have disrupted global markets and led to rising prices for goods worldwide. As part of his broader push to revive Hollywood, Trump previously named actors Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as special envoys tasked with promoting the film industry, calling Hollywood a “great but very troubled place.”
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick responded to Trump’s latest directive with a brief statement: “We’re on it.” Despite recent challenges, America remains a significant center for film production. According to industry analytics firm ProdPro, the U.S. saw $14.54 billion in production spending last year—a 26% decline from 2022. Meanwhile, countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK have seen increased investment in filmmaking.
Even before this policy shift, Trump’s trade actions had begun to impact Hollywood. In April, China reduced the number of U.S. films allowed to screen in its theaters, criticizing American tariffs as harmful and warning they would diminish public interest in American cinema. China’s Film Administration stated that it would adjust imports based on market conditions and audience preferences.
Trump’s trade war with China has been especially aggressive, with tariffs on some Chinese imports reaching up to 145%. When combined with earlier measures, the total tariffs on certain products could hit 245%. In retaliation, China has implemented a 125% tariff on U.S. goods. Other countries currently face a general 10% tariff, which could increase once a temporary hold expires in July.
While aboard Air Force One, Trump mentioned he was negotiating with several nations, including China, though he had no immediate plans to speak with President Xi Jinping. He hinted that new trade deals could be announced soon but gave no specifics. In a separate interview aired on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump suggested he might eventually reduce tariffs on China, acknowledging that high levies could hinder business relations.
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