Production outside the USA: Trump plans 100 percent tariffs on films

Production outside the USA Trump plans tariffs of 100 percent on films 05.05.2025, 05:40

Trump sees tariffs as a panacea: for the economy, government finances, and to exert foreign policy pressure. His latest announcement, however, comes as a surprise. The import duties are now also expected to bring Hollywood back to life.

US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of 100 percent on films produced outside the US. On his online platform, Truth Social, he cited the weakening domestic film industry as the reason for this. He therefore authorized the US Department of Commerce to "immediately begin imposing a 100 percent tariff on all films coming into our country that are produced abroad."

The American film industry is dying fast, Trump lamented. The film industry in Hollywood and elsewhere in the country has been "devastated" by the trend of US filmmakers and studios working abroad. "Other countries are offering all kinds of incentives to lure our filmmakers and studios away from the US," Trump declared. This is a "concerted effort by other nations" that poses a "national security threat."

Trump initially did not specify under what conditions the tariff surcharges would be imposed. Television series—an increasingly popular and profitable area of ​​film production—were not mentioned in Trump's post.

Beijing wants to show fewer US films

With this announcement, Trump is once again escalating the global trade conflict he triggered. The Republican had imposed high tariffs on US imports from numerous countries at the beginning of April. Following turmoil in the financial markets, he backtracked and reduced most tariffs to 10 percent for 90 days.

China bears the brunt of the tariffs imposed by Trump. The surcharges against the People's Republic total 145 percent. China, in turn, imposed high retaliatory tariffs. Beijing also announced in April that it would reduce the number of US films imported into China.

Trump celebrated the 100th day of his second term last Tuesday and once again promised the US citizens a thriving economy and more jobs. At the beginning of his term, he had pledged to make America and its economy "great again" and protect it from foreign influences. Since returning to the White House, he has also launched several investigations into the "national security implications" of various imports—from semiconductors to critical minerals.