US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on films "produced outside America." The declaration came through a Sunday social media post claiming that overseas film production poses a "national security threat."
"America's movie industry is collapsing rapidly," Trump stated. "Foreign nations lure our filmmakers and studios away with incentives. Hollywood and other US regions face devastation. This coordinated effort by other countries constitutes a national security risk—it's propaganda too! Accordingly, I'm directing the Commerce Department and US Trade Representative to implement immediate 100% tariffs on all foreign-produced films entering our country. BRING MOVIE PRODUCTION BACK TO AMERICA!"
Currently, the practical mechanics of this tariff remain uncertain, including which productions would be targeted. Many nations offer tax incentives making locations like the UK, Australia, and Europe financially appealing for international shoots.
Beyond economics, filmmakers often choose overseas locations to depict exotic settings. The policy's impact remains unknown for globe-spanning franchises like James Bond, John Wick, Extraction, or Mission: Impossible—or projects like the upcoming F1 film shot on non-US racetracks.
Further questions linger regarding films already in production or completed, the exclusion of television productions, and potential global backlash against US films if nations retaliate for restricting foreign content.
