President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by proposing a 100% tariff on films produced outside the United States, a declaration that sent tremors through Hollywood and international entertainment markets. Announced over the weekend on social media and reiterated from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump cast foreign film production as a threat to both national and economic security.
Industry leaders wasted no time voicing alarm, warning that the move could destabilize international financing structures and imperil a still-recovering American film sector. “On first blush, it’s shocking and would represent a virtually complete halt of production,” one industry insider remarked to CNN. “But in reality, he has no jurisdiction to do this and it’s too complex to enforce.”
Trump’s plan leaves many questions unanswered. Would American-financed films shot partly overseas be subject to the tariff? How would streaming platforms, which distribute international content globally, be treated? What happens to co-productions involving American and foreign partners? The ambiguity sent entertainment stocks sliding Monday.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai downplayed the backlash, saying, said, “while no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again.”
Legal scholars raised additional hurdles. Under international trade agreements, films are generally treated as services rather than goods, making them more difficult to tariff. And Trump’s claim that foreign film production constitutes a national security threat could face resistance in court.
Despite these concerns, the administration appears intent on moving forward—at least rhetorically. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wrote on Twitter, “We’re on it,” after Trump’s post. Over the weekend, Trump met with actor Jon Voight and producer Steven Paul at Mar-a-Lago, reportedly discussing ways to revive the domestic film industry, though tariffs were not the meeting’s primary focus.
We’re on it. https://t.co/r5zCLxZrem
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) May 4, 2025
Trump has promised to consult with industry stakeholders before implementing any policy.
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