President Trump said Sunday that he plans to instruct officials to begin imposing a 100% tariff on any movie produced outside of the United States. His statement marks a shift in focus from traditional industries like steel and automobiles to intellectual property, a realm that typically hasn’t been impacted by international trade policy. With film productions often spanning multiple countries, such a move could create significant complications for the global entertainment industry.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that the American film industry is “DYING a very fast death,” blaming other nations for enticing U.S. studios and filmmakers with lucrative incentives. He described these efforts as a coordinated campaign by foreign governments, which he framed as a threat to national security.
“This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat,” he said. “It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”
Trump added that he would direct the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to implement tariffs on “any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.”
It remains unclear how such a policy would be executed. Questions linger about how the tariffs would be applied, what criteria would determine a film’s origin, and whether the policy would extend beyond theatrical releases to include content streamed online. It is also uncertain how the administration would differentiate between movies and television series under the proposed rule.
Representatives for the White House and the Commerce Department did not immediately offer clarification when asked for further details.
Hollywood producers have increasingly turned to international locations to manage skyrocketing production costs, a trend that has contributed to a decline in domestic employment. The New York Times reported recently that the U.S. film industry has lost over 18,000 jobs in the past three years.