Trump considering 100% tariffs on movies not made in the US

Donald Trump plans to meet with Hollywood executives. This follows his announcement of 100% tariffs on foreign films. His statement shocked the film industry.

On Sunday, Trump said he would authorize the commerce department to impose these tariffs. He claimed America's film industry is dying "a very fast death."

However, on Monday, he softened his stance. He told reporters he would meet with the industry to ensure they are happy with his proposal.

Filmmakers have been leaving Hollywood for cheaper locations like the UK and Canada. One non-US union warned that Trump's tariff plan could be a "knock-out blow" to international filmmaking.

Trump expressed on Truth Social that this issue involves "messaging and propaganda." He stated, "WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!"

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick responded, saying, "We're on it." However, details about the tariff remain unclear. It is unknown if it will apply to American companies producing films abroad.

White House spokesman Kush Desai told the BBC that no final decisions have been made yet. The Administration is exploring options to protect national and economic security while making Hollywood great again.

Many recent major films were shot outside America. These include Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked, and Gladiator II.

It is also unclear if tariffs would affect streaming services like Netflix or how they would be calculated. Timothy Richards from Vue cinema chain questioned how Trump would define a US film.

He asked whether it depends on funding sources or where filming occurs. Richards noted that filming costs in California have risen significantly over decades. This has led filmmakers to seek lower-cost options in places like the UK.

He added that the UK has skilled production crews contributing to its success. "The devil will be in the details," he said.

Meanwhile, UK media union Bectu warned that tariffs could harm freelancers recovering from the pandemic slowdown. Union chief Philippa Childs urged swift government action to support this vital sector.

The UK government affirmed its commitment to ensuring a thriving film sector and job creation through an upcoming Creative Industries Sector Plan. They mentioned ongoing talks with the US but stated that public commentary was not in national interest.

The British Film Institute is collaborating closely with both governments while assessing Trump's proposal details. They aim to maintain collaboration between sectors in both countries.

It remains uncertain if proposals will impact films like Wicked, filmed in the UK but produced by an American studio. Despite challenges, the US remains a major global film production hub according to ProdPro research firm.

Their latest report shows $14.54 billion (£10.94 billion) spent on production last year—a 26% drop since 2022. NPR Radio critic Eric Deggans warned that proposed tariffs could further harm the industry.

Other countries might retaliate with their own tariffs on American films, making profits harder overseas. Deggans cautioned that these tariffs might cause more harm than good for American films.

The Motion Picture Association declined comment when contacted by BBC regarding these developments. Countries attracting increased spending since 2022 include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK according to ProdPro data.

Following Trump's remarks, Australia's home affairs minister Tony Burke emphasized support for their screen industry rights. Screen Producers Australia acknowledged many unknowns about Trump's plan but expected worldwide shockwaves from it.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his government's commitment as advocates for their screen sector during a news conference.

Before his inauguration, Trump appointed Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as special ambassadors for Hollywood business opportunities—calling it a "great but very troubled place."

Trump previously stated they would help bring Hollywood back stronger than ever before after losing business overseas over four years.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has imposed various global tariffs aimed at boosting US manufacturers and protecting jobs.

However, these policies have contributed to chaos in global markets and rising prices worldwide.

Even before this announcement, Trump's trade policies had already impacted the movie industry negatively.

In April China announced reduced quotas for American films entering their market.

The China Film Administration criticized US tariff actions as harmful and indicated they would reduce imports of American films based on audience preferences.