Donald Trump recently reiterated a proposal to implement a 100% tariff on films produced outside the United States, citing concerns that the American film industry has been undermined by foreign competition. He mentioned this during a statement on Monday, highlighting that California has been particularly affected and suggesting that such a tariff could address a long-standing issue.
In previous remarks made in May, Trump indicated he would engage with Hollywood executives on this matter, claiming the U.S. film industry was facing significant decline. His latest comments coincide with a broader announcement of tariffs, including a similar rate on imported branded or patented drugs and 50% tariffs on kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
On his social media platform, Trump stated, “Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other countries.” He characterized the California leadership as “weak” and asserted that the 100% tariff would apply to all films made outside the U.S. However, no specific timeline has been provided for the implementation of this tariff.
Questions remain about how the proposed tariffs would be applied, particularly concerning films distributed via streaming services versus traditional cinema releases. Dan Coatsworth, an investment analyst, raised concerns on the practicalities of enforcing such a tax, noting that filmmakers are often attracted to locations that offer better incentives for production. He suggested that defining what constitutes an “American-made” movie could also pose significant challenges.
Many recent major films from U.S. studios have been produced abroad, and while the U.S. continues to be a key player in global film production, industry data indicates a 26% decline in production spending since 2022. In contrast, other countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK have seen increased spending in the same timeframe.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g78e809zqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss