Trump says he wants 100% tariffs on foreign-made movies
FILE PHOTO
LOS ANGELES – President Donald Trump is directing his attention Monday on foreign films, threatening in a social media post to impose tariffs on movies produced outside of the United States.
Trump posted on Truth Social the American movie industry was dying a “very fast death” because of incentives other countries are offered to make films and movies.
“This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda,” Trump said on Truth Social.
The Department of Commerce and other government agencies are being authorized to immediately begin the process of imposing a 100% tariff on all films produced abroad and sent to the United States.
Trump added on a social media post, “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick posted on social media: “We’re on it.”
We’re on it. https://t.co/r5zCLxZrem
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) May 4, 2025
However, neither Lutnick nor Trump provided details on how to implement the tariffs.
Trump appointed Hollywood veterans Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson in January as symbolic ambassadors to bring Hollywood back “bigger, better and stronger than ever before.”
Studios have been using foreign locations instead of Hollywood for years taking advantage of tax incentives and lower production costs.
Increased tax credits and cash rebates offered by foreign countries are attracting productions. Ampere Analysis predicts $248 billion will be spent globally to produce content in 2025.
Disney, Netlfix and Universal Pictures film movies and TV shows in Canada and Britain.
After Trump’s announcement sparked widespread concern, the White House clarified in a statement Monday that “no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made.”
“Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again,” White House spokesman Kush Desai told The Hollywood Reporter. (With CNS report)
