America First Goes to the Movies: Trump Labels Foreign Films a National Security Threat
Trump Declares Film Industry a National Security Issue
President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States, describing the American movie industry as “DYING a very fast death.” The dramatic policy proposal aims to combat what Trump characterizes as a deliberate effort by foreign nations to draw filmmakers and production companies away from the United States with incentives.
“The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States,” Trump stated in his announcement. He framed the issue in terms of national security, adding, “This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat.”
Economic Implications and Industry Reactions
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the administration’s commitment to implementing the tariffs, simply stating, “We’re on it” when questioned about the plan. The announcement has already impacted stock prices for major entertainment companies, including Netflix, Disney, and theater operators, reflecting market concerns about potential disruptions to the global film production ecosystem.
The proposal comes amid existing challenges for US film and TV production, which has faced setbacks from strikes, wildfires, and pandemic-related disruptions in recent years. Trump’s tariff approach is consistent with his broader economic strategy, including the recent “Liberation Day” tariffs on various imports, despite opposition from some members of Congress regarding his tariff authority.
British broadcasting union BECTU has warned that Trump’s plan could deal “a knock-out blow” to the UK film industry, which employs thousands and forms a significant part of the British government’s industrial strategy. Philippa Childs of BECTU expressed concerns that the tariffs would harm the UK film sector just as it recovers from pandemic-related challenges.
Not all industry experts agree with Trump’s diagnosis or prescription for the entertainment sector’s problems. Kirsty Bell of Goldfinch acknowledged the “right to address the fact that there’s a decline in the entertainment sector,” but attributed the issues to factors like cheaper overseas production and changing viewing habits rather than foreign films specifically.
The specific implementation details remain unclear, particularly regarding how the tariffs would affect international productions and films on streaming platforms. The Hollywood Reporter noted uncertainty about how expensive international film productions like “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” would be impacted under the new policy.
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