United States President, Donald Trump, has announced plans to impose a 100 per cent tariff on all foreign-produced films imported into America, a move that could reshape the global film industry and disrupt Hollywood’s long-standing international business model.
The policy, unveiled on Monday, is seen as part of Trump’s wider protectionist economic agenda, which he has steadily extended into cultural and creative industries.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused foreign countries of “stealing America’s movie-making business,” likening it to “taking candy from a baby.”
However, the legal framework for enforcing such a sweeping tariff remains unclear, with the White House refusing to provide details. Major U.S. film giants including Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount, Netflix, and Skydance have also kept silent on the announcement, while Comcast simply declined comment.
Analysts have warned that the proposal, if implemented, could significantly raise production costs. Paolo Pescatore, a media and telecoms analyst, described the policy as one that “raises more questions than answers,” cautioning that costs would ultimately filter down to consumers.
The U.S. film industry remains heavily dependent on international markets. According to the Motion Picture Association, the sector generated a $15.3bn trade surplus in 2023, driven by $22.6bn in exports. Hollywood also relies on overseas production hubs such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, which attract high-budget projects through generous tax incentives.
Industry observers fear the tariffs could not only destabilise co-productions with Europe and Asia but also threaten the livelihoods of thousands of American workers, from visual effects experts to production crews, who often collaborate across borders.
Trump had first floated the idea of film tariffs in May, though without specifics. At the time, U.S. film unions and guilds urged the President to consider strengthening domestic tax incentives instead of imposing barriers that could stifle growth.
