WASHINGTON, USA – President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping new tariff on foreign films, declaring a 100 percent import tax on all movies produced outside the United States.
The move, which he framed as a national security measure, is the latest in a series of aggressive trade policies under his administration.
In a statement released on Monday, May 5, 2025, Trump claimed that foreign governments are luring filmmakers away from Hollywood with subsidies and incentives, thereby weakening America’s cultural and economic influence.
“The movie industry in America is dying a very fast death,” the president said.
“Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other nations, and therefore, a national security threat.”
Trump asserted that international cinema could serve as a vehicle for foreign propaganda.
“It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!” he said, directing the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin implementation of the new tariff regime immediately.
The move has drawn swift backlash from industry professionals and economists, who warn that it could jeopardise international partnerships and invite retaliatory measures from global trading partners.
Critics argue the decision overlooks the U.S. film industry’s gradual recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and dual strikes by actors and writers.
According to data from a recent Hollywood Reporter analysis, the U.S. box office generated $8.7 billion in revenue last year — only a slight dip from the $9 billion reported in 2023 — and industry analysts project stronger performance in 2025.
“This tariff is not only unnecessary, it is harmful,” said one studio executive who requested anonymity due to ongoing discussions with trade representatives.
“The global entertainment market relies on cross-border collaboration. This could isolate Hollywood at a time when the industry needs more—not less—access to talent and markets.”
Industry veterans also warned that the tariff could escalate trade tensions, drawing parallels to Trump’s earlier trade battles involving steel, automobiles, and electronics.
Since returning to office, Trump has revived his protectionist agenda with a renewed push for tariffs across a broad range of industries.
His administration has implemented a universal 10 percent import tax, additional sector-specific levies, and new secondary tariffs aimed at discouraging indirect trade with nations deemed hostile or unfair in their practices.
The Motion Picture Association has yet to issue a formal statement, but insiders suggest legal challenges and lobbying efforts are already underway to delay or reverse the decision.
While Trump framed the measure as a patriotic act to preserve “American storytelling,” critics say it may come at the cost of the very industry he seeks to protect.
“This isn’t about saving Hollywood,” said one critic on Capitol Hill. “It’s about stoking fear and exerting control — and our culture, creativity, and global influence could suffer for it.”
