Trump Vows 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Films, Declares Fight to Revive U.S. Movie Industry

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a sweeping 100% tariff on movies made outside the United States, citing a rapid decline in the domestic film industry. The proposal, made via his social media platform Truth Social, signals an aggressive new front in his ongoing trade battles.

Trump blamed foreign governments for luring Hollywood productions overseas through lucrative incentives, labeling the trend a “national security threat” and a deliberate attempt to undermine American cultural influence. “It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda,” he wrote. “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”

The announcement comes at a turbulent time for the American film industry, which has seen a notable contraction in recent years. According to a January report by industry tracker ProdPro, U.S. production spending in 2023 dropped to approximately C$19.5 billion (US$14.54 billion) — a 26% decline compared to 2021.

Adding to concerns, a recent survey of studio executives revealed that none of the top five preferred filming locations for 2025 and 2026 were in the U.S. Toronto, London, Vancouver, Central Europe, and Australia ranked ahead of California, which landed in sixth place. The main driver? Foreign tax breaks and subsidies that significantly reduce production costs.

“The industry is already on the ropes,” a union spokesperson warned, suggesting the proposed tariffs could deliver a “knock-out blow” to an ecosystem that has long struggled with runaway productions.

Despite the bold rhetoric, Trump’s announcement left several key questions unanswered. It is not yet clear whether the proposed tariffs would apply to U.S. studios filming abroad — such as Disney, Warner Bros., or Universal — or if it would only target fully foreign productions.

Blockbusters like Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked, and Gladiator II — all financed by major American studios — were recently filmed overseas. If the tariffs apply to such projects, they could trigger a seismic shift in global production strategies.

There is also ambiguity around how the tariffs would affect films distributed via streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, versus those shown in traditional cinemas.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick responded briefly, stating, “We’re on it,” but offered no specifics on implementation or enforcement.

The entertainment industry had already begun to feel the chill from Trump-era trade tensions. In April, China slashed its import quota for American films, citing the U.S. government’s “abuse” of tariffs. “We will follow market rules, respect the audience’s choice, and moderately reduce the number of American films imported,” the China Film Administration said in a statement.

Analysts warn that further trade provocations could deepen these fractures and hurt U.S. studios reliant on international box office revenue.

Trump, who is expected to return to office in January if his campaign prevails, recently appointed action stars Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as special envoys to the entertainment industry. He pledged they would make Hollywood “STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE.”

However, Hollywood’s support for Trump remains tepid at best. Major stars like Taylor Swift and George Clooney publicly endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

As the battle lines are drawn between economic protectionism and global creative collaboration, one thing is certain — the future of American cinema may soon look very different.