Amidst a heated tariff war, U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that a 100% tariff will be imposed on all films produced outside the United States, asserting that the American entertainment industry is dying a “fast death” due to intense international competition and labelling it a “National Security threat”.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump accused foreign countries of luring talent away from the US and spreading “propaganda”. He wrote: “Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”
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He further ordered the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to issue a 100% tariff on all movies produced in “foreign lands”. He concluded his post with a bold, “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick affirmed Trump’s statement with a supportive, “We’re on it.”
We’re on it. https://t.co/r5zCLxZrem
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) May 4, 2025
The U.S. President’s move comes amidst an escalating tariff battle between America and China, with the latter announcing last month that they would reduce the number of U.S. films imported into the country.
In a later statement to reporters, he insisted that Hollywood was on the path of destruction and claimed that other nations were stealing the film industry. “They are supporting them financially. So that is sort of a threat to our country in a sense.” Trump said.
"Hollywood is being destroyed. You have a grossly incompetent governor that allowed that to happen... Other nations have stolen our movie industry...We should have a tariff on movies that come in...That's sort of a threat to our country in a sense"
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) May 5, 2025
- Pres. Trump on movie tariffs pic.twitter.com/C8lm5zMbtf