U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films entering the United States, claiming the move is necessary to safeguard Hollywood from what he described as a “rapid and coordinated decline.”
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump framed the entertainment industry’s downturn as a matter of national security. He alleged that foreign governments are deliberately drawing U.S. film productions overseas with generous subsidies and incentives, thereby undermining America’s cultural influence and economic strength in the film sector.
“Hollywood is dying a very fast death, and we’re not going to let it happen,” Trump said. “Foreign nations are using film as propaganda and taking our productions away.”
The announcement tasks the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative with initiating the tariff process. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that steps to implement the measure will begin immediately, although an official timeline has not been provided.
The move comes at a time when Hollywood is facing multiple challenges. Film productions in Los Angeles have dropped by 22% over the past year, exacerbated by environmental disruptions, labor strikes, and rising costs. Writers and actors have staged prolonged protests demanding fair compensation and protections against AI-generated content.
Industry leaders, including the Motion Picture Association, have not yet issued a formal response to Trump’s proposal. However, critics warn that the tariff could backfire — increasing costs for film distributors, raising ticket prices, and straining international partnerships in the entertainment sector.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders across Hollywood and the global film industry are closely monitoring the implications of what could become one of the most significant trade interventions in the sector’s history.
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