In a dramatic new move, former President Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on all foreign-made films, claiming the measure is necessary to protect national security and revive the U.S. film industry.
Posting the declaration on his Truth Social platform, Trump tasked the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative with initiating the tariff process. “The American movie industry is dying a very fast death,” he wrote, calling the dominance of foreign productions a “National Security threat” and accusing other nations of using film as “messaging and propaganda.”
Framing the policy as an economic and cultural defense strategy, Trump blamed foreign governments for offering financial incentives that he says lure U.S. filmmakers overseas. “We want movies made in America again!” he declared, echoing his signature rhetoric on reshoring American industry.
If enacted, the policy would mark the first time U.S. tariffs have targeted creative services rather than physical goods, signaling a shift in Trump’s protectionist approach to trade. It also comes shortly after China restricted the number of American films shown in its cinemas—a move widely interpreted as retaliation for Trump’s renewed tariffs on Chinese goods.
Industry experts warn the proposed film tariff could backfire. Hollywood giants like Disney, Warner Bros, and Paramount depend heavily on international shoots to reduce costs and benefit from favorable tax laws. Insiders told CNN the new tariff could disrupt recovery efforts as the industry still struggles with post-pandemic challenges and shrinking budgets.
So far, labor unions and international partners have not formally responded, but trade specialists expect legal pushback. Unilateral tariffs on services without multilateral approval could violate World Trade Organization rules.
With the 2024 presidential election approaching, analysts suggest the move is as much political as economic—appealing to Trump’s base by positioning Hollywood as a symbol of American cultural and economic strength.
Whether the tariff is implemented—and how other countries and studios react—remains uncertain.
