US President Donald Trump has declared his intention to levy a staggering 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States, marking a significant escalation in his ongoing trade disputes with other nations. In his recent post on Truth Social, Trump expressed concerns about the American movie industry facing "a very fast death," attributing its struggles to what he terms a "concerted effort" by foreign countries offering generous incentives to lure filmmakers away.
Trump reiterated his desire for films to be made domestically, calling it a "National Security threat." He declared, "WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!" This announcement aligns with his broader approach of imposing tariffs since returning to the White House, purportedly to bolster American manufacturing and preserve jobs. However, such tariffs have contributed to disruptions in the global economy, with expectations of increased prices on goods worldwide.
Prior to this, Trump's administration appointed several high-profile actors, including Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone, as special ambassadors tasked with revitalizing Hollywood, which he considers to be "very troubled." In response to Trump's announcement, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated, "We're on it."
Despite challenges, the US remains a dominant player in global film production, as highlighted by a report from movie industry research firm ProdPro, which revealed a production spending of $14.54 billion in the US last year. Yet, this figure marks a 26% drop from 2022, with countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK seeing increased spending.
The ongoing tariffs and trade tensions have already influenced the US film market, exemplified by China's decision to cut the number of American films permitted in its theaters. The Chinese Film Administration criticized the US government's tariff strategies, stating they negatively impact American films' standing with domestic audiences.
Trump's administration has heavily targeted China, imposing import taxes up to 145% on various goods, with total levies possibly reaching 245% when combined with existing tariffs. In retaliation, Chinese authorities have introduced a 125% import duty on US products. As global trade dynamics shift, Trump has hinted at potential discussions with other countries regarding trade partnerships but refrained from providing specifics during a recent media briefing.
