Washington– U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 100% tariff on all films produced outside the United States, declaring the decline of the American film industry a threat to national security. The move, unveiled late Sunday, is aimed at reviving domestic film production and curbing what Trump described as unfair competition from foreign governments offering attractive incentives to lure American filmmakers abroad.
“The film industry in America is dying a very fast death,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. “Other countries are offering all sorts of movie incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood and many other areas are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other nations and, therefore, a national security threat.”
In the same post, Trump argued that imported films contribute not only to economic decline but also to harmful messaging and propaganda. He said he has directed the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to begin implementing the new tariff immediately.
“We want movies made in America again,” he added.
Speaking to reporters at the White House earlier Sunday, Trump placed blame for Hollywood’s struggles on California Governor Gavin Newsom, criticizing his handling of the state’s film industry. Trump also accused foreign countries of “stealing” America’s moviemaking prowess by offering better production deals.
“If they’re not willing to make a movie inside the United States, we should have a tariff when movies come in,” Trump said.
The move comes amid a broader conversation about the American film industry’s recent struggles. Production has slowed in California, reportedly due to reduced state incentives and more competitive tax credits offered internationally. Hollywood has also faced economic pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s labor strikes involving actors and writers.
In an earlier effort to revitalize the industry, Trump in January appointed actors Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as special ambassadors tasked with promoting business in Hollywood. At the time, he called the film industry “a great but very troubled place” and charged the trio with restoring its global competitiveness.
“They will serve as special envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to foreign countries, back — bigger, better and stronger than ever before!” Trump said in a previous Truth Social post.
The new tariff policy is expected to spark debate in both political and entertainment circles, with industry analysts and international trade experts watching closely to gauge its impact on global film distribution and U.S. cultural exports. (Source: IANS)
