Trump Slaps 100% Tariff on Foreign Films, Calls Them a National Security Threat in Bid to “Save Hollywood”

President Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the United States, citing the decline of the American film industry as a “very fast death” and labelling foreign films as a national security threat due to their messaging and propaganda.

He criticised other countries for offering incentives that lure American filmmakers and studios abroad, which he sees as undermining Hollywood and U.S. messaging.

Trump authorised the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin imposing this tariff immediately, emphasising the goal of encouraging studios to keep film production on U.S. soil and stating, “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”

This move marks a significant shift as it targets services (film production) rather than physical goods, making these potentially the first U.S. duties of this kind.

The tariff comes shortly after China reduced the number of Hollywood films allowed into its market, a retaliatory step following Trump’s earlier tariffs on Chinese goods.

However, experts warn that the tariffs could backfire, harming major studios like Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros., which often shoot films overseas to benefit from tax breaks and lower labour costs, and are still recovering from the pandemic.

Implementation details remain unclear, including whether the tariffs will apply to foreign or American production companies working overseas.

Trump indicated ongoing negotiations with several countries, including China, to secure fair trade deals, but emphasised that the high tariffs effectively block dealings with China at present