In a bold move, U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a 100% tariff on all movies made outside the U.S., citing national security threats and foreign influence over Hollywood. The President’s plan, shared on Truth Social, aims to revive the U.S. film industry by forcing filmmakers to return home and curb foreign propaganda.
Trump’s proposed tariffs seek to “level the playing field” by encouraging filmmakers to produce domestically, claiming foreign governments are luring U.S. filmmakers abroad with tax breaks and lucrative offers. “We want movies made in America again!” Trump asserted, echoing his previous calls for bringing manufacturing jobs back to U.S. soil.
This move marks a significant shift in Trump’s tariff policy, extending it for the first time to cultural and creative services. If enacted, it would be the first time U.S. trade duties apply to the entertainment industry, particularly film.
The announcement comes shortly after China limited the number of American films allowed in its cinemas—widely seen as retaliation for Trump’s renewed tariffs on Chinese imports.
Industry experts, however, warn that the new tariffs could have unintended consequences. Hollywood studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and Paramount, which have increasingly relied on international locations to reduce production costs, may face financial strain. CNN reports that the tariffs could undermine efforts to revive the film industry post-pandemic, particularly as studios continue to struggle with tighter budgets and slow box office recoveries.
While film industry labor unions and international partners have yet to comment, trade experts suggest Trump’s move may face legal challenges under World Trade Organization (WTO) norms, which typically prohibit unilateral tariffs on services.
With the 2024 presidential election approaching, this policy could also serve a political purpose—appealing to domestic industries and conservative cultural values, positioning American cinema as both an economic driver and a symbol of national identity.
The fate of this proposed policy, and how other nations and international studios will respond, remains uncertain.