Trump Orders 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Movies to Support Hollywood

Trump announced on Sunday a plan to impose a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the U.S., claiming the American film industry is in rapid decline due to the incentives other countries offer to attract filmmakers. 

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described this as part of a broader effort by other nations that he considers a national security threat, framing it also as a matter of messaging and propaganda. He directed the Department of Commerce and relevant agencies to begin implementing the tariffs, emphasizing, "WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!"

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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that they are working on the issue, though neither provided specific details about how or when the tariffs would be enforced. It remains unclear whether the tariffs would apply to movies streamed online, shown in theaters, or be based on production costs, box office revenue, or other metrics.

Hollywood executives and industry groups are still trying to clarify the specifics. The Motion Picture Association, representing major studios, has not issued an immediate comment.

The move is part of a broader push by Trump, who has previously appointed Hollywood veterans like Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson to help revive Hollywood’s prominence. Meanwhile, film productions increasingly head overseas due to tax incentives and lower costs, with countries such as Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand offering competitive benefits.

Leaders in Australia and New Zealand responded by advocating for their local industries, which have been involved in major productions like Marvel films and “The Lord of the Rings.” The British union Bectu warned that tariffs could severely harm the UK’s film industry and threaten thousands of jobs.

The U.S. film industry has already experienced a significant decline—nearly 40% over the past decade—with a large portion of productions now happening outside Hollywood. Critics warn that tariffs could backfire, causing retaliation and further damaging the industry’s global standing.

An industry analyst noted that retaliatory measures could be devastating, emphasizing that the U.S. has more to lose than to gain by imposing such tariffs, especially given the international competition and the current economic climate.