- By Supratik Das
- Mon, 05 May 2025 08:17 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Giving a new spin to his trade, US President Donald Trump issued a 100 per cent tariff for all films produced outside the United States, sparking concerns of widespread disruption in Hollywood and beyond. The announcement, made via Trump’s post on Truth Social, comes amid growing tensions with China and a broader trade war that has unsettled global markets since his return to the White House in January. "Hollywood, and a lot of other places in the USA, are being destroyed," Trump stated. "This is an organized attempt by other countries and, hence, a National Security threat," he added
Blaming foreign governments for providing rich incentives to attract US filmmakers overseas, Trump declared the entertainment industry was not only being attacked economically but ideologically as well. He has instructed the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to begin the process of applying the tariffs with immediate effect.
"We Want Movies Made In America, Again," Says Trump
"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 USA are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other nations and, therefore, a National Security threat," he posted on Truth Social.
The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. 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…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 4, 2025
"It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda. Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN," Trump added.
Also read: US-China Trade War: Beijing Suspends Delivery Of Boeing Jet To United States Amid Clash Over Tariff
The move follows only weeks after Beijing declared that it was going to "moderately decrease" the quantity of American movies accepted into its cinemas, blaming Washington's aggressive approach to trade. China's Film Administration, in a press announcement on April 10, declared that Trump's decision to increase tariffs on Chinese items to 125 per cent, would affect the popularity of US movies among Chinese viewers.“The wrong action of the US government’s indiscriminate tariffs on China is bound to further reduce the favourable impression of domestic audiences on American films,” the statement read.